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RETECH 2009: hydrogen proponent Sandy Thomas says fuel cells beat the pants off of battery-powered cars

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:53:00 +0000

At the American Council on Renewable Energy’s RETECH conference and expo last week, I was able to listen to a few presentations on renewables and transportation. It’s always interesting to hear about the auto industry from people on the outside, and the RETECH presentations lived up to expectations. I’ll be writing about a few of them this week. The most full-throated defense of hydrogen vehicles I heard was issued by Sandy Thomas, president of H 2 Gen Innovations , during the “Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Advanced Engines” panel. H 2 Gen is mostly interested in stationary hydrogen production stations, but Thomas believes that hydrogen is the one right propulsion system for vehicles, since nothing else will meet America’s greenhouse gas emissions, energy independence, and clean air targets. He had the presentation to prove that H2 cars beat battery vehicles, too, and was willing to share his slides with AutoblogGreen readers. You can Car Blog Greenthem all in the gallery below (there’s a reason we try to post items like this at the end of the day, when we think you’ll have time to indulge a bit). I’ve also written up some more of what Thomas said after the jump. Gallery: RETECH 2009: Hydrogen presentation from Sandy Thomas Continue reading RETECH 2009: hydrogen proponent Sandy Thomas says fuel cells beat the pants off of battery-powered cars Auto Blog: Hydrogen , AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Green Daily RETECH 2009: hydrogen proponent Sandy Thomas says fuel cells beat the pants off of battery-powered cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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RETECH 2009: hydrogen proponent Sandy Thomas says fuel cells beat the pants off of battery-powered cars

2010 Toyota Prius: the steering wheel wants your Touch (Tracer Display)

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:09:00 +0000

There is one aspect of the 2010 Prius that we didn’t highlight in our info overload post from yesterday: the Touch Tracer Display. Most of the time, there is nothing in front of the speedometer; we want a clear view of how fast we’re going, right? But, there are also a lot of buttons on the steering wheel and constantly shifting our view from the road to the volume or temperature control isn’t exactly a good way to drive. To combat furtive downward glances, Toyota has come up with the TTD, which causes little orange lights appear on an overlay screen that looks like it’s hovering above the speedometer when you put your finger on the circular buttons on the steering wheel . It’s neat and kind of surprising the first time it happens. Once you learn to expect it, it’s a great visual cue to go along with the wheel-mounted controls. Toyota says this is the “the first display system in the world to allow steering wheel controls to Car Blog Greenout on the instrument panel.” We doubt it’ll be the last. Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius [Source: Toyota] Auto Blog: Emerging Technologies , Hybrid , Toyota 2010 Toyota Prius: the steering wheel wants your Touch (Tracer Display) originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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2010 Toyota Prius: the steering wheel wants your Touch (Tracer Display)

James May rides the ENV fuel cell motorcycle

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:19:00 +0000

Click above to watch the video It’s been a while since we heard anything about the ENV hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle , but it’s apparently been featured in a recent episode of James May’s Big Ideas. To jog your memory, the ENV was designed by a company called Intelligent Energy, which recently partnered up with Suzuki on its Crosscage concept bike . The Japanese cycle maker has invested in Intelligent Energy in return. Phil Caldwell, director of business development at Intelligent Energy, has said that he hopes the tie up with Suzuki will allow his company to get fuel cell motorcycles on the roads and in the hands of consumers, though there are still nagging issues – like a hydrogen infrastructure – to worry about. Regardless of its production feasibility, the ENV has a very cool set of features that allow it to stand out from the admittedly uncrowded hydrogen-powered motorcycle realm. For instance, the actual fuel cell stack itself can be removed from the body of the motorcycle and can act as a standalone generator. See the complete video after the break. [Source: YouTube via The New Cafe Racer Society ] Continue reading James May rides the ENV fuel cell motorcycle Auto Blog: Hydrogen , On Two Wheels James May rides the ENV fuel cell motorcycle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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James May rides the ENV fuel cell motorcycle

Fiat keeps the low-CO2 crown for second year in a row

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Last year, Jato Consulting found that Fiat lineup of cars was the lowest CO 2 -producing line in Europe. Fiat bosses must be smiling, because the same has been found for this model year. Fiat’s cars produce an average of 137.3 g/km. This places Fiat ahead of all these guys Peugeot (138.1 g/km) Citroën (142.4 g/km) Renault (142.7 g/km) Toyota (144.9 g/km) Ford (147.8 g/km) Opel/Vauxhall (151.1 g/km) Volkswagen (158.8 g/km) BMW (160.6 g/km) Mercedes (185.0 g/km) Fiat Group is also in the pole position for automotive groups (138.4 g/km), ahead of PSA, Renault, Toyota and Hyundai. Fiat’s figure is also very close to the EU average of 130 g/km that becomes mandatory in 2015. Full press release after the jump. [Source: Fiat] Continue reading Fiat keeps the low-CO 2 crown for second year in a row Auto Blog: BMW , Ford , Hyundai , Toyota , Volkswagen , Legislation and Policy , Fiat , Renault , Opel Fiat keeps the low-CO 2 crown for second year in a row originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Fiat keeps the low-CO2 crown for second year in a row

Fox’s 24 to go carbon neutral

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:55:00 +0000

We haven’t ever seen any specific statistics outlining the carbon emissions from car crash and car chase sequences filmed for movies or television, but it can’t be good. In our current environmentally-aware global climate, movie and television studios must realize that their actions will be scrutinized, so it’s not surprising to see a growing number of productions making attempts to offset their carbon emissions. Shortly after hearing that Eric Bana’s new flick Love the Beast would be going carbon neutral , news comes in that Fox will be offsetting the carbon emissions from the popular television show 24 . To lessen the environmental load further, cast and crew members have switched to hybrid shuttle vehicles, trucks used by Fox will use a 20 percent biodiesel blend, motion sensors will turn lights on and off and clean energy credits will be purchased from wind farms in India. Stars like Kiefer Sutherland will record public service announcements urging fans of the show to lessen their own environmental impact. Why 24 ? According to Howard Gordon, executive producer of the show, “We are arguably the worst possible offender, which is why, in a way, it made sense to start with us. If we can do it, anyone can.” [Source: NY Times ] Auto Blog: Carbon Offset , Green Daily Fox’s 24 to go carbon neutral originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Fox’s 24 to go carbon neutral

Tesla Roadster on sale in Canada as of… today, deliveries start in Q4 ’09

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tesla Roadster Canada has not always been the friendliest territory for electric cars, but that’s changing . After the Tesla empire officially expanded to Chicago yesterday, the company has announced it will join the northern rush and is now ready to take orders in Canada. Canadian buyers will have to wait until the fourth quarter of 2009 to actually get their cars, but they should feel free to sign up for the $109,000 electric car whenever they feel like it. Oh, and that’s the U.S. price; the cost for Canadians will be set later this year) The first deliveries will be made out of upcoming Tesla “regional centers” in Seattle and New York, but Canada-based stores are in the works. In the announcement of the Canadian sales, Tesla highlights one big difference between American and Canadian Roadsters: the electricity used to power the vehicles is much more likely to be clean up north: Canada and Norway are the only two countries worldwide where the majority of electricity comes from renewable resources, including run-of-river small hydro, wind, biomass, geothermal and solar energy. An EV recharged from the current Canadian grid, on average, would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 85 percent compared to an equivalent gasoline-powered vehicle. In hydro-dominant British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba, the reduction would be an impressive 98 percent. Click here for some fun video of the Tesla Roadster undergoing ice testing, and see more images of Roadsters in the snow here . Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster [Source: Tesla] Continue reading Tesla Roadster on sale in Canada as of… today, deliveries start in Q4 ’09 Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , North America Tesla Roadster on sale in Canada as of… today, deliveries start in Q4 ’09 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Tesla Roadster on sale in Canada as of… today, deliveries start in Q4 ’09

$2 billion? Nah, more like $12.5 billion for plug-in cars in the stimulus bill

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:56:00 +0000

When the big stimulus bill was passed this week , the number that rose to the forefront was a $2 billion investment for plug in vehicles. But, if you add in all the additional plug-in help for things like infrastructure, the actual plug-in stimulus package is closer to $12.5 billion, according to Plug In America’s legislative director Jay Friedland. We’ve taken a look at some of these monies before, but Friedland made a nice list of exactly how much money is available for what. For example, the $6 billion in loans that was approved in EISA (Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007) for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturer Grant Program was finally funded in the stimulus bill. Other funds, like $1.7 billion for “advanced energy investments,” don’t necessarily need to go to plug-in vehicles, but could be used that way. You can see Friedland’s full breakdown of the $12.5 billion after the jump. When taken together, it sure makes the stimulus bill look much more PHEV-friendly than before. Thanks to Friedland and Plug In America for sending this over. [Source: Plug In America] Continue reading $2 billion? Nah, more like $12.5 billion for plug-in cars in the stimulus bill Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Legislation and Policy , USA $2 billion? Nah, more like $12.5 billion for plug-in cars in the stimulus bill originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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$2 billion? Nah, more like $12.5 billion for plug-in cars in the stimulus bill

New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two!

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Over at Jason Calacanis’ blog, a new teaser shot of the Tesla Model S has surfaced that shows a bit more detail of the car’s greenhouse profile. According Jason, the photo was emailed to buyers of the Signature 100 cars of which he is one. We got our first glimpse of the new car last week but this one shows more. Most of the car appears to be hidden in this image but there are details if you know how to look. A visit to the curves adjustment in Photoshop reveals the same fender trim seen on the earlier shot as well as the wheels. In the adjusted version, the door handles and side glass profile are also visible as is the glass roof. We don’t know at this point if the glass roof will be part of the production model although it could be problematic for an EV. The extra thermal load would have the air conditioning working harder cutting into the range. You can check out the enhanced photo after the jump. Jason is so happy with his Roadster that he has decided to order two Model S Signature Series sedans. Tesla has opened the reservation list for the Signature Series. Right now, only early adopters of the Roadster can get on the list for a $40,000 refundable deposit. Following the March 26 reveal, anyone will be able to order one for a $10,000 deposit. If you already own a Roadster, you’ll get $10,000 off the price of a Model S. Don’t forget the enhanced version of the Model S teaser after the jump. Related: AutoblogGreen visits our founder to try out his Tesla Roadster [w/VIDEO] Tesla to unveil Model S on March 26, hopes for DOE money by summer Thanks to everyone who sent this in! [Source: Calacanis.com ] Continue reading New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two! Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two!

Consumer Reports teams up with the Automotive X Prize for MPGe, safety tests

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:08:00 +0000

The Automotive X Prize will get help with the safety and education portions of its competition from Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports will be the competition’s “Official Active Safety Testing Partner.” We spoke with the Auto X Prize’s senior director , Cristin Lindsay, during the Detroit Auto Show, and she said that safety is paramount, both for the drivers and people who come out to watch. Having a trusted name like Consumer Reports helping to conduct pre-race safety inspections and active safety performance tests should convince outsiders that these sometimes unusual body shapes are indeed fit for use. Another bit of news is that Consumer Reports will use MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent) when it tests plug-in and alternative fuel vehicles in the future. The press release does not explicitly say Consumer Reports will use the X Prize’s criteria, but the X Prize’s Carrie Fox told us that, “The plan, and it’s still a plan, is for them to use the MPGe standard we’ve come up with.” You can Car Blog Greenan excerpt from the current official rules describing the MPGe calculations after the jump or Car Blog Greenthe whole ruleset in PDF . [Source: Auto X Prize ] Continue reading Consumer Reports teams up with the Automotive X Prize for MPGe, safety tests Auto Blog: MPG , Automotive X-Prize Consumer Reports teams up with the Automotive X Prize for MPGe, safety tests originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Consumer Reports teams up with the Automotive X Prize for MPGe, safety tests

Obama’s signature on Stimulus Bill earns praise

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Click above for an interactive timeline As we noted over the weekend, the Stimulus Bill that moved through Congress contains a lot of help for plug-in vehicles. As you might expect, the advocacy group Plug In America is quite pleased that President Obama signed the bill today (see full statement after the jump). While there is PHEV love in the bill – including $2 billion for advanced battery technologies – hard-hit PHEV-hopeful cities like Flint, Michigan don’t necessarily see a lot of help now that the Chevy Volt’s future in the city is uncertain. In fact, aside from a tax credit worth up $2,500 to for pure electric low-speed vehicles, cleaner vehicles (i.e., hybrids) available on the lot today don’t get a lot of help. HybridCars says that plug-in hybrid conversions can qualify for a tax credit of up to 10 percent of the cost of the conversion, if it’s done by an authorized firm before the end of 2011. The bill also allows people who earn less than $125,000 individually, or $250,000 jointly, to deduct the sales tax on a new car. Quite a bit there, but is it enough? What’s your take? [Source: WaPo , Plug In America , HybridCars ] Continue reading Obama’s signature on Stimulus Bill earns praise Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy , USA Obama’s signature on Stimulus Bill earns praise originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Obama’s signature on Stimulus Bill earns praise