Car Blog Green » detroit 2009

Detroit 2009: Fuel cells, a "promising solution," come to Cobo Hall

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:11:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Hydrogen , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily Photo of a retro fuel cell vehicle by jurvetson . Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0. Even though the SAE World Congress last year featured a seminar titled, ” The Problems of Fuel Cell Commercialization ,” the SAE is putting a positive spin on fuel cells for the public at this year’s Detroit Auto Show . Tomorrow, for example, the SAE International’s A World In Motion program will kick off the Fuel Cell Challenge; in the press release announcement, SAE calls fuel cells a “promising solution.” The challenge is meant to get middle-school kids across America to think about fuel cells; it’s likely that we’ll get more details after the press conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday. A World In Motion is a curriculum that explains physical science with “essential mathematic and scientific concepts and skills.” More details after the jump. [Source: SAE International ] Continue reading Detroit 2009: Fuel cells, a “promising solution,” come to Cobo Hall Detroit 2009: Fuel cells, a “promising solution,” come to Cobo Hall originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

More here:
Detroit 2009: Fuel cells, a "promising solution," come to Cobo Hall

Verenium to build its first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:17:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Ethanol Verenium Corporation has been awarded a $7 million grant from the state of Florida and it will use the money to build its first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant. The money comes through the state’s Farm to Fuel initiative, something sure to enrage ethanol opponents. The plant, to be constructed beginning later this year in Highlands County, Florida, is expected to start generating fuel in 2011. When fully up to speed the facility will employ 140 people and produce 36 million gallons of ethanol annually. The total cost of the refinery is expected to be $250-300 million. Verenium’s enzyme-based process for breaking down cellulose into sugar for fermentation will use grasses as the main stock at the Florida facility. [Source: Verenium ] Verenium to build its first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Here is the original post:
Verenium to build its first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant

Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year’s best car

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:46:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Etc. , Green Culture , AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily There are hundreds of vehicles on display at the Detroit Auto Show this year. Most of them were vehicles from past years, things we’ve all seen plenty of times. During our coverage of the new vehicles unveiled during the media preview days this past week, we hunted for everything that smelled even the slightest bit green or eco-friendly, then put together a list of 16 vehicles for you, our readers, to vote on. Voting closed on Friday and it is time to reveal the results. This is a very different list than the Top Ten that those of us who were at the show put together , and it’s fun to note the differences. Some vehicles made both lists, sure, but not all, and nothihng ended up in the same position on both lists. The top vehicle is drastically different in the two lists, too. But enough of my rambling – check out the Readers’ Top Ten here and see for yourself. Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year’s best car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

The rest is here:
Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year’s best car

VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Detroit Auto Show , Fisker Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma S Following the unveiling of the production version of the Fisker Karma and the Karma Sunset concept, Henrik Fisker sat down to talk about the car company he has launched. We now have confirmation of some of the technical details such as the battery supplier which is Advanced Lithium Power. Fisker recently took an equity stake in ALP and has exclusive access to batteries from that company. Given the logistics of building the Karma in Finland with Valmet Automotive, profitability has two be a question. Fisker insists the company can build the Karma profitably at the $87,900 and venture capital funds like Kleiner Perkins would not have invested otherwise. Given some of the dubious internet start ups that these Silicon Valley money men have invested in, a profitable car company is no guarantee. Nonetheless, at least Fisker will have some revenue once they start delivering cars which is at lot more than can be said for many internet companies. Check out the video after the jump and the full article at Green Fuels Forecast . Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S [Source: Green Fuels Forecast ] Continue reading VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Car Blog Greenmore from the original source:
VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma

Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:48:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Detroit Auto Show Click above for a gallery of the Johnson Controls re3 concept Johnson Controls is a name familiar to many in the automotive world as a Tier 1 supplier of parts – usually interior bits like seats and electronic gadgetry – to automakers all over the world. In an effort to show off some of the company’s latest bits and pieces, a complete concept car called the re3 has been created by the Wisconsin-based firm and debuted at the Detroit Auto Show . Like any proper concept these days, it covers its green bases, in this case featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain complete with a lithium ion battery pack and eco-friendly renewable interior materials. The stated goal of the re3 concept is to show what Johnson Controls is capable of offering its customers, which, in this case, are larger automakers and not consumers directly. Johnson Controls has a joint venture with Saft to produce vehicular battery packs and in the re3, a pack large enough to provide EV-only power in city environments is tucked in between the seats in the center tunnel. Want all the details? There’s lots more after the break. Gallery: Johnson Controls re3 concept [Source: Johnson Controls] Continue reading Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

See more here:
Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept

ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO]

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:05:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Ford , Detroit Auto Show , First Drive Click the Focus EV “mule” for a high res gallery As Ford was getting ready to make its big announcement this week in Detroit that it would build and sell a battery electric car beginning in 2011 , I got a call asking if I’d like to come down and drive one of the development “mules.” Being loathe to reject such opportunities, we immediately worked on squeezing it into the busy auto show schedule. Right after the Fisker press conference on Monday, I headed over to the Ford booth to get my ride. A “mule” vehicle in automotive engineering parlance, is a non-representative vehicle fitted with a new powertrain or suspension components for testing purposes. In this case, Ford had a pair of current Focus sedans equipped with an electric drive train and lithium ion battery pack that was developed in partnership with Magna International. I spent some time chatting with chief engineer Greg Frenette and Magna rep Dick Devogelaere about the car and what we would see for production in two years time. The production model will be based on Ford’s C-segment platform, meaning it will be Focus-sized. However, Ford has already said it will have several vehicles in the U.S. market off this platform, including an MPV like the European C-Max. Frenette would not say which body style would initially get the electric drive. One item he would confirm was that there would be none of the whole leasing and taking back of the electric cars that other companies are still infamous for. The new EV will be sold outright to retail customers through Ford dealers beginning in 2011. Pricing is still undetermined. Check out the video after the jump and the full drive report on Green Fuels Forecast. Gallery: ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [Source: Green Fuels Forecast ] Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO] ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Original post:
ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO]

Volt chief engineer still thinks hydrogen is the long term answer

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:32:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Hydrogen , GM , Detroit Auto Show Volt chief powertrain engineer Nick Zielinski on the right In recent years, Nick Zielinski has led the powertrain engineering teams on a number of GM advanced technology programs including the Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle and the Sequel concept. For the past two years, his focus has shifted to making the Chevrolet Volt a reality. The common thCar Blog Greenthrough all of these recent efforts is electric drive. The difference is the source of the electricity. The Volt, of course, uses a lithium ion battery with an internal combustion range extender. Just because this configuration is coming to the road sooner doesn’t mean that Zielinski has given up on his previous efforts. Following the announcement of GM’s battery manufacturing plans at the Detroit Auto Show on Monday, Zielinski spoke with MarketWatch about the program. Throughout all the financial turmoil of the last several months, development of the Volt has proceeded full speed ahead. Sources at suppliers to the program have also confirmed to ABG that Volt-related work is the only thing still moving for GM. In spite of the current enthusiasm for extended range EVs from GM, Chrysler and Daimler, no one expects this architecture to remain dominant for the long term, including Zielinski. Just like Daimler officials did at the reveal of the Concept BlueZero, Zielinski believes that hydrogen will be the long term answer to energy storage and production in electric drive vehicles. [Source: MarketWatch ] Volt chief engineer still thinks hydrogen is the long term answer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Here is the original:
Volt chief engineer still thinks hydrogen is the long term answer

Miles per gallon: Overrated?

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:47:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Green Culture , MPG , Green Daily Sure, there are plenty of things in the automotive world that are overrated. Enough, in fact, to compile a whole list of them, as seen here . Come on, join in… it’s fun! For instance, in addition to the small SUVs that already made the list, why not add big SUVs too? Most buyers of the big behemoths rarely use the full capabilities of their rigs and could almost always use a smaller vehicle. What about those rare instances when a monster ‘ute is necessary? Rent one. Remember, even if one more giant SUV was never made, there’s an endless supply of perfectly good used ones to choose from. Moving right along, what else is on this particlar overrated list? The Prius? Well, perhaps, since quite a number of people admit to choosing them simply to look like they care. The Tesla? Eh, fine. It’s expensive and seats only two occupants. We’re not sure overrated is the right word for these two vehicles, but whatever. Miles per gallon? Um, no, not overrated in the slightest bit. Why’s it on the list? To quote the anonymous author, “In case you haven’t noticed (and nobody has) gas is really cheap again.” Ugh. Isn’t this the attitude that got us into this mess in the first place? [Source: Inside Line ] Miles per gallon: Overrated? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

See the original post here:
Miles per gallon: Overrated?

Electric vehicle-to-grid network arrives in Newark, DE

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Scion , USA Newark, DE has gotten the green light for one of the first two-way Vehicle to Grid infrastructure. Sponsored by a $730,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the project helps the state and the University of Delaware to purchase specially-equipped cars (retrofitted versions of the Scion xB) which would get electricity from the local utility and give back some of it when the car is parked and plugged in. Of course, a handful of cars aren’t enough to make any dramatic impact on the grid, but regional grid manager believes that a thousand will make a noticeable difference. The demonstration vehicles, plugged into a single 208-volt, 50-amp outlet, can each use or send onto the grid 10.4 kWh of electricity. What Delaware needs now, besides the EV cars, is a complete network of garages, apartment parking lots and city streets outfitted with the right size plugs, as the grid is actually ready to go. Thanks to GoodCheer for the tip. [Source: Delaware Online ] Electric vehicle-to-grid network arrives in Newark, DE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

View original here:
Electric vehicle-to-grid network arrives in Newark, DE

Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:32:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Audi , Cadillac , GM , Detroit Auto Show , Green Daily Click image above for live shots of the Cadillac Converj Concept The Cadillac Converj is currently winning the AutoblogGreen reader poll of the best car from the Detroit Auto Show (but only by two votes, the new Honda Insight is right behind). Seems like you all share tastes with the judges for this year’s Eyes on Design Awards, which picked the Converj as one of tow top concept cars. The new Cadi-Volt shared its spot in the Design Excellence for a Concept Vehicle category with the Audi SportBack , while the Audi R8 5.2 FSI and the 2010 BMW Z4 both won Design Excellence for a Production Vehicle awards. The judges for this award included BMW design head Chris Bangle, Harley-Davidson chief styling officer Willy G. Davidson, and transportation design chair at the College for Creative Studies Larry Erickson. The Detroit Free Press says that Cadillac designers have been working on the Converj’s looks since June. Not bad for six months of work, don’t you think? You can still vote for your choice of the best car from the show; just click here . If you liked the Insight, your vote is especially valuable. There’s a picture of the SportBack after the jump. Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj [Source: Autoblog ] Continue reading Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

Car Blog Greenthe original post:
Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards