Hybrid News

Original post by Billyk

You will certainly come across various definitions of what a scrapbook is. You may even have an idea of what it means to you. However, of all the meanings that are associated with scrapbooks, there wi…

Original post by default@goarticles.com (Patricia Frye)

My 65-70 MPG mode of transport next to my 38-41 MPG choice.

Original post by VBsportbiker

Filed under: Biodiesel

While Europe is certainly interested in biofuels, not everyone there is altogether keen on just how much the U.S. is, um, willing to help them with their supply. As the Times Online reports, the Renewable Energy Association has contacted the European Union trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, because the REA (not Renewable Energy Access, a group often featured in these pages) wants American companies to stop “exploiting subsidies to flood the European markets with cut-price fuel.” The European Biodiesel Board has also announced its protest, and Spanish biofuel producers made a similar complaint earlier this summer. U.S.-made biodiesel makes up more than half the biodiesel in Europe, the Times reports.

It’s not like Europe can’t make it’s own biofuels. Eastern Europe in particular is busy in this area. The EU is also working on sustainability certification for biofuels. But cheap American biodiesel is threatening to push European producers out of business, some warn (Exhibit A). Part of the problem is that American biodiesel companies basically get breaks from two governments, an American subsidy of $1 a gallon and then an UK rebate of 20p a liter. This means US biodiesel can sell for about about $860 a ton, much less than the $1,239 or so that a UK ton costs, according to the Times Online’s numbers. How long will that double-dipping last? If the complaints keep up, probably not much longer.

[Source: Times Online, Grant Ringshaw]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Biodiesel

While Europe is certainly interested in biofuels, not everyone there is altogether keen on just how much the U.S. is, um, willing to help them with their supply. As the Times Online reports, the Renewable Energy Association has contacted the European Union trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, because the REA (not Renewable Energy Access, a group often featured in these pages) wants American companies to stop “exploiting subsidies to flood the European markets with cut-price fuel.” The European Biodiesel Board has also announced its protest, and Spanish biofuel producers made a similar complaint earlier this summer. U.S.-made biodiesel makes up more than half the biodiesel in Europe, the Times reports.

It’s not like Europe can’t make it’s own biofuels. Eastern Europe in particular is busy in this area. The EU is also working on sustainability certification for biofuels. But cheap American biodiesel is threatening to push European producers out of business, some warn (Exhibit A). Part of the problem is that American biodiesel companies basically get breaks from two governments, an American subsidy of $1 a gallon and then an UK rebate of 20p a liter. This means US biodiesel can sell for about about $860 a ton, much less than the $1,239 or so that a UK ton costs, according to the Times Online’s numbers. How long will that double-dipping last? If the complaints keep up, probably not much longer.

[Source: Times Online, Grant Ringshaw]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Original post by Nuclear Shaman

Original post by Bobs Metallic Pearl

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels

You may never have heard of the French automotive company Matra. You’ve probably seen some of their designs and cars that they have built for other companies such as Renault, though. For instance, the strange and strangely popular Renault Espace minivan was initially made by Matra for Renault. They also have a rather successful history of racing, in Formula 1, Formula 2 and at Le Mans. The moped-like bike you see above and here in our gallery seems to be from the same company, although they do not produce cars anymore. The bike is electric and also allows for pedaling. The range of 60 miles or so could be increased with human power. Although limited to a bit less than 30 miles per hour, the bike can likely go faster, but it would lose out on being considered a moped and therefore would require a motorcycle license. This electric bike should be available for sale in Europe in the not-too-distant future, but no word on whether it’ll make it to the States.

Interesting features of this electric bike include the disk brakes and their unusual mounting-system. The bike also supports regenerative braking. My guess is that batteries are stored in the rack above the rear wheel, but the round enclosure around the hub of the front wheel probably has batteries in it as well, while the other one at the rear is likely the motor. Looks like a fun little commuting machine!

[Source: Bikes in the Fast Lane, thanks Mike!]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Original post by 08Mariner

Filed under: EV/Plug-in

I particularly like this line in a recent story about electric cars in New Zealand: “Electric cars have been desired and designed, discounted and debunked, built and broken for many decades.” Those debunked and broken aspects might soon (well, within five years) come to an end in New Zealand, should the government there get its plans in order.

David Parker, the government minister responsible for climate change issues in New Zealand, told the Dominion Post that he is positive electric cars are the future, because the technology is here and there is a real push to do something about climate change now, a feeling that wasn’t there in previous decades when EVs were tried.

New Zealand-specific EV highlights include the Mitsubishi i-Car, which should arrive not long after it’s debut in Japan in 2010 (other sources say the i-MiEV could arrive in 2008). Another supporter is Meridian Energy, which we’ve covered before, and its plan to test EVs on the road next year. And New Zealand will be able to power its EVs by all sorts of renewable methods. Parker says his country can be “one of the three best-placed countries in the world to power electric vehicles”. Go Kiwis.

Related:

• Electric car banned in New Zealand because of … the steering wheel
• New Zealand’s Meridian Energy will test electric cars on a “small scale” in 2008
• Hybrid and alternative-fueled rally cars set to race in New Zealand

[Source: Stuff.co.nz and Dominion Post, Nick Churchhouse via EV World]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

RIVERSIDE, Iowa — Former CIA Director James Woolsey voiced concerns about the security of America’s electric grid and called for government incentives to boost the transition to flex-fuel and plug-in hybrid vehicles in a speech to an energy conference.

Original post by george_douglas@nrel.gov

RIVERSIDE, Iowa — Former CIA Director James Woolsey voiced concerns about the security of America’s electric grid and called for government incentives to boost the transition to flex-fuel and plug-in hybrid vehicles in a speech to an energy conference.

Original post by george_douglas@nrel.gov

Filed under: Etc., Fiat

I have already spoken about my admiration for classic Alfas, and an announcement for the upcoming new Alfa Romeo Junior, based in one of the coolest classics from the ’60s, is surely good news: There’s always room for a sport compact fuel-efficient vehicle in the market and this model is promised to have the small-yet-powerful turbocharged engines already found in the Grande Punto.

But what to call this car? Alfa Romeo has launched a website to name the “Junior” - and it’s open to everyone. The site has been launched in six countries (Italy, Germany, UK, Spain, France and Japan) and in partnership with six car magazines.

The rules are simple: Coming from Alfa’s tradition of naming cars with trophies, women’s names (cars have a feminine noun in Italian) and numbers, contestants have to find an Italian-sounding name. It’s got to be dynamic, energetic and forward-looking while nodding towards young people and, of course, keeping Alfa Romeo’s style in mind.

Two winners will be chosen from each country, one becoming the winner. The prizes to win are an Alfa Romeo Spider and an Alfa mountain bike. The Read link directs to the Italian site, the English is here.

[Thanks to Eduard for the tip]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

Original post by Xavier Navarro

Hybrid vehicles are often lumped together in one category. People often don’t know what type of hybrid vehicle to buy when they say “I’m thinking of buying a hybrid”.

Original post by george_douglas@nrel.gov

Filed under: Biodiesel, Etc., On Two Wheels

Because celebrities are always in the spotlight, they are even photographed while just running errands. Now, generally speaking, a celebrity running errands in no way qualifies them for inclusion on this here website. But, in the case of this fetching actress, we’ve made an exception. Uma Thurman can be seen in the photo to the right riding a human-powered scooter on the sidewalks of New York. Way to go, Uma!

While on the subject of celebrities, apparently Tyra Banks is trying to make a green impression on her wanna-be-model followers. I’ve never actually seen the show, reports are showing up on the web that the cast of models were driven around in a mini-bus which was using 100 percent biodiesel because “Tyra wants to call attention to “the environment” and that “Top Model is going green”. Unfortunately, some of the more pampered among the not-real-models found the conveyance less than flattering; they were heard wondering aloud why they didn’t get a limo. Oh well, can’t win ‘em all.

[Source: Valley Pop via TMZ]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski