Hybrid News

Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Legislation and Policy, USA

In 2009, the U.S. will use at least 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuel. This was the pronouncement of the EPA today regarding an increase in the Renewable Fuel Standard Increased from 7.76 percent (the 2008 number) to 10.21 percent, an increase of 2.45 percentage points or about 2 billion gallons. The 11-plus billion gallons will be blended into transportation gasoline as E10, E85 and different types of biodiesel blends. The raise continues the EPA’s policy of gradual increases in the annual use of biofuels until the target of 36 billion gallons in 2022, set by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), is reached.

[Source: EPA]

Continue reading EPA ups America’s Renewable Fuel Standard to 10.21 percent for 2009

EPA ups America’s Renewable Fuel Standard to 10.21 percent for 2009 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: SMART, USA

Could the United States be getting a performance version of the smart fortwo microcar? It sounds possible, as reports floating around on the web indicate that smart will be offering the BRABUS-tunes fortwo to reservation holders in the States who have yet to complete their car’s configuration. It’s possible that Americans will get the uprated 98-horsepower turbocharged inline three cylinder engine from the European market car, which would be a welcome power boost over the standard car’s 70-horsepower. Another possibility is that the BRABUS body and suspension modifications are all we’ll get. Either way, the package should add some more style and sportiness to the city car, with its lowered suspension, alloy wheels and tuned exhaust system.

Even if we do get the turbo engine, fuel mileage in the combined European cycle is still 45 miles per U.S. gallon - not too shabby at all. Acceleration improves with a 0-60 run of less than 10 seconds and top speed is listed at 96 miles per hour. Those looking for the best economy possible, though, will most likely want to stick with the standard model. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for more.

[Source: All Cars All The Time, smart of america]

Continue reading U.S. to get BRABUS-tuned smart fortwo?

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Green Daily

There wasn’t too much transportation-related green displays at the WIRED NextFest going on in Chicago this month, but it’s hard to miss the ones that are present. While the back of the tent is taken over by Toyota’s plug-in Prius and 1/x, right in the middle of the floor is the ridiculously stretched out Imagine PS Roadster from HumanCar. We’ve heard about this vehicle since 2006, and it’s still in pretty basic form. The bright orange chassis and the rowing-powered powerplant (which will be combined with an electric motor in the final version) sat next to each other and you can see both in the photo gallery below. What struck me was just how low and long this vehicle is. I still can’t quite imagine how you steer the car, especially at low speeds, as the “BodySteer[TM]” technology isn’t something I get quite yet. Perhaps I will if we can take the Imagine out for a spin sometime next year - it’s due in Spring 2009.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, On Two Wheels, China, USA

Over the last few years, there has been an amazing influx of Chinese motorcycles, scooters and all terrain vehicles. Many of the products coming in from overseas have a horrible record for quality, but there have been a few gems along the way as well. With this in mind, our eyes were drawn to an article on Automotive News regarding a new Chinese company we were not yet familiar with. Though we’ve become accustomed to finding these manufacturers on scooter forums and news sites, it is still rare to see them in the mainstream automotive media. We have no way of knowing what kind of quality its vehicles are, but Zhejiang Kangdi Vehicles Co. may be making some inroads into the U.S. market with its line of two, three and four-wheelers in both gas and electric versions. The company appears to be calling itself Kandi. A Seattle company is importing the vehicles and fifteen franchises have already been purchased.

We took a look at the company’s web site and we see some of the normal scooters and motorcycles. We also see some carts with an eerie resemblance to the smart fortwo. One model really caught our attention — a three-wheeled scooter powered by what appears to be the ubiquitous G΀ 150cc engine and CVT transmission. We’ll see if Kandi vehicles come up any more in the coming weeks and months. It’s just as possible that we never hear the name again. Will Kandi begin offering EPA-certified vehicles? Stay tuned.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req′d]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Aptera, USA

Click above for more images of the Aptera Typ1 e

Way back in September of 2006, Google.org, the philanthropic part of the Internet giant, announced that it would be investing in PHEVs. The following year, Google followed that bit of news up by launching its RechargeIT initiative which would begin investing in some for-profit manufacturers in an effort to see these fuel-saving products make it to market as quickly as possible. The first two investments from RechargeIT have now officially been announced, and at least one of the companies benefiting from the $2.75 million investment should be well known to our readers: Aptera.

We′ve been covering the futuristic new vehicle since it was first introduced, and its exciting to see the project mature to the point where people, in California at least, are anxiously awaiting the first electric Apteras to be delivered. This financing should only help matters as the company works to get its electric and hybrid vehicles to customers as quickly as possible.

The other company receiving some funding is known as ActaCell and is based in Austin, Texas. Based at the University of Texas, Actacel is hard at work refining its lithium ion battery technology with the goal of producing low cost, high output cells while retaining a high degree of safety. A tall order for sure, though one that could be made easier with its newfound cash outlay. We’ve pasted ActaCell’s press release after the break. Thanks for the tip, Karen!

[Source: Google.org via Cleantech]

Continue reading Google invests $2.75 million in Aptera, ActaCell

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: SMART

Back in January, ABG reader Randy dropped us a note to let us know that he and his wife had received a letter from a Smart dealer that the car they had reserved would soon be ready for delivery. Well the Oklahoma City couple picked up their new car this week and Randy sent us another message:

We just took delivery today. And we are very impressed. I live in Oklahoma City and the Smart dealer is located in Tulsa, which is about 100 miles. The drive back home was perfect. The car had no problem with keeping up with traffic, which on the turnpike speeds average 75-80mph. 80mph was not an issue to keep up. When we originally test drove the car during the tour, the cars seemed a little bouncy and jerky. Our cabrio is very solid and smooth. Top up on the highway, there is very little wind noise. Top down is stupendous. And the premium sound system ROCKS!!! All in all we couldn’t be happier with our purchase. And for the days driving, after taking it on a tour to friends to show off, we averaged 44 mpg. WOOHOO! One other thing to point out, the attention the car gets is insane. I felt like I was in a parade on the highway. I have never had so many people waving and smiling and pointing. Some even snapped pictures.

Sounds like Randy is pretty pleased so far. If you’ve got your own story, the comments are open.

[Source: Randy in Oklahoma City]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Etc., HUMMER

The anti-icon of the green transportation movement is about to lose a sales outlet in the home of the American high-tech industry. With sales of HUMMERs down 22 percent in 2007 and gas prices well on their way to $4/gallon and more it’s understandable that a dealer might be reluctant to spend several million dollars on a new showroom and off-road test track. Ron Battistella, owner of Silicon Valley HUMMER, stopped selling new vehicles early this month and will shut down the service department at the end of March after GM decided to take back his franchise. Even though Battistella won′t be selling the big SUVs anymore, the area likely won′t be without their military poseur fix for long. There are several other GM dealers in the area, one of whom will likely take over the franchise soon. The question is will any other dealer be willing to invest the money in the kind of dealership that GM wants.

[Source: San Jose Mercury News, thanks to Steve for the tip]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Automotive X-Prize

Following up on the post the other day about Popular Mechanics’ attempt to rank the top ten Automotive X Prize teams, reader and tipster Manu wrote, “My bet for #1 is Poulsen Hybrid. It’s not on the list and it’s never been mentioned on ABG” (he also has his own take on the Poulsen Hybrid here). True enough, we have been remiss in covering this particular and we figured it was time to change that. I mean, what if this team happens to win and we weren’t there from the beginning? Shameful. Of course, there are 60+ teams in the competition, and there are many we haven’t covered. We should, but that’s a post for another day.

Actually, we already missed the beginning. Poulsen hybrid plan started (I think, based on the website) last year, and the general idea is to take an existing ICE car and convert it to a plug-in electric hybrid with mileage in the 100 mpge range. The system adds two Poulsen Hybrid electric motors that use rare earth permanent magnets and are rated at 5kW or 7hp onto the outside of your car and then adds a 72V 120Ah Deep Cycle Lead Acid battery pack (with six batteries inside) and an onboard charger to the vehicle. As Manu writes, the benefits to this system include technology that is here today (June 2008 is the expected debut) and that Alpha-Core is not a new company, so funding issues shouldn’t hold the Poulsen system back. The device costs $3,300, with another $600 for professional installation. Poulsen Hybrid, Inc. is a company based in Shelton, Connecticut and is connected to Alpha-Core, a division of Bridgeport Magnetics, Inc. So, whaddya think?

[Source: Poulsen, h/t to Manu]

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Etc., USA

If you’re a little obsessive compulsive about keeping track of your fuel consumption but keep losing all those little paper receipts, FuelFrog is the Internet 2.0 solution for you. Just hop on over to their site, give yourself a name and a password and you’re ready to go. We gave it a quick test drive and came away impressed by the cute logo clean interface and usability. After entering the miles since our last fill-up, price and number of gallons and the date of that wallet bruising, well, nothing. But after the second entry of that data a chart begins to be constructed and mileage patterns officially begin to be tracked. Right now, we can only see our mileage on the chart but we noticed an input space for the make and model of our car so we expect that we may be able to make aggregate comparisons with other users of the same vehicles.

So, you like this tracking idea but you don’t bring the internets with you to the gas station? No problem. FuelFrog is now hooked up with Twitter so you can send the info straight from the pumps via your phone and Twitter account. We signed up for that as well and it was also pretty easy. Now we can not only keep track of our mileage but also what the whole Twittering world is doing.

[Source: FuelFrog]

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Original post by Domenick Yoney