There are more hybrid cars rolling out into the Indian market in 2008. Mahindra & Mahindra is planning to launch a start-stop option of its Scorpio diesel-electric hybrid by end of 2008.
Original post by george_douglas@nrel.gov (George Douglas)
Original post by ronnie38
With everyone else working on downsized engines to deal with rising (in spite of the current respite) fuel costs, one brand who hasn’t said anything is Cadillac. One model in the lineup that would be ripe for the treatment is the CTS. For all the praise the model has earned since its debut last year, one problem it has is mass, as in too much of it. GM has already indicated that they are open to the possibility of using the 2.0L direct injected turbo four cylinder from the Solstice GXP in the Camaro, and the CTS would be another prime candidate. The four cylinder has as much power and more torque than the base 3.6L V6 in the CTS. The four cylinder would be more efficient and probably weigh less than the V6 to boot. Whether this combination ever appears will depend on whether American consumers start to show a desire for smaller engines in premium cars. At the dedication of GM’s new powertrain engineering center last week EVP Tom Stephens told AutoObserver that the company is watching the market and will respond with appropriate engines from its lineup.
[Source: AutoObserver, Image (C)2008 John Neff]
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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid
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Originally Posted by Science_News
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The team of Monash scientists have designed and tested an air-electrode, where a fine layer - just 0.4 of a micron thick, or about 100 times thinner than a human hair of highly conductive plastic is deposited on the breathable fabric. The conductive plastic acts as both the fuel cell electrode and catalyst. Monash University’s Dr Bjorn Winther-Jensen said just as Goretex® had revolutionised the outdoor clothing industry, it could hold similar promise for motorists. "The same way as waste vapour is drawn out of this material to make hikers more comfortable to less prone to hypothermia, so it is able to ‘breathe’ oxygen into our fuel cell and into contact with the conductive plastic," Dr Winter-Jensen said. … |
I remain somewhat skeptical. This doesn’t quite ‘read right’ and I’ll be more impressed when a second group replicates their result. For reasons I can not explain, this reminds me of Pons and Fleischmann and cold fusion. Still, might as well post it here.
Bob Wilson
Original post by bwilson4web
Last week, former Intel CEO Andy Grove joined the growing number of Silicon Valley executives offering solutions to America’s transportation and energy problems. Grove, the legendary leader who transformed Intel from obscure memory chip manufacturer to microprocessor titan, called for a massive effort to put 10 million plug-in hybrids on the roads in the next four years.
Original post by admin
Why you should buy the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid: You need a full-size SUV for mid-level towing and passenger-carrying duties, and you plan to put enough miles on it that an almost 50% improvement in…
Original post by george_douglas@nrel.gov (George Douglas)
ATLANTA, July 31 — Continuing its transition to a more environmentally-friendly fleet, Cox Enterprises announced the addition of nine International Durastar Hybrid Bucket Trucks.
Original post by george_douglas@nrel.gov (George Douglas)
NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 31 — The Nissan Altima Hybrid, which offers the efficiency and fuel economy of a hybrid drivetrain with the performance and excitement customers have come to expect from the Altima line-up, has been named one of the “Top 10 Green Cars” by the editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.
Original post by george_douglas@nrel.gov (George Douglas)
Filed under: Biodiesel, Etc., Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, Legislation and Policy, On Two Wheels, Green Daily, European Union
Spain’s Minister of Industry and Energy, Miguel Sebastián, has introduced a set of measures to save energy, most of which affect cars and the way they′re driven. These are expected to save 43 to 47 million barrels from being imported into Spain by 2011, not only for economic reasons but also because the country is becoming one of Europe’s most polluting. Regarding transport, the measures are as follows:
So far it seems like a long wish list. What I’m not sure about is how effective they will become. What do you think?
[Source: 20 minutos]
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Original post by Xavier Navarro
Thanks,
Scott
Original post by ssummers
Monash University scientists have revolutionised the design of fuel cells used in the latest generation of hybrid cars which could make the vehicles more reliable and cheaper to build.
Original post by george_douglas@nrel.gov (George Douglas)
Filed under: MPG, Fiat, Asia, Tata
Click above image for a hi-res gallery of the Tata Nano
Tata is asking Fiat to assist in selling the Nano overseas, as an expansion of the two marques partnership in manufacturing and distributing cars, engines and commercial vehicles. Fiat’s initial intentions are, however, largely directed towards bus and truck manufacturing. “We have held talks about the Nano being marketed in markets where Fiat has already a strong presence. I am open to consider a partnership,” said Ratan Tata at a forum promoting cooperation between Italian and Indian companies.
Tata is also forecasting supply problems for its new microcar, which goes on sale next October. That said, high raw material and fuel prices have cut demand for vehicles in India. Between that development, the burden of the Jaguar/Land Rover acquisition, and a 31% decrease in profits, it′ll be interesting to see if Tata is ultimately able to keep the Nano priced as low as planned.
Gallery: Tata Nano: The People’s Car
[Source: Automotive News]
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Original post by Xavier Navarro
DENVER, CO - Unleaded Software, Inc. has been chosen from field of 10 companies to design the new website for the Professional Ski Instructor…
Original post by default@goarticles.com (Unleaded Software)
When you are on the look out for a new (or even a new one) one of the most important things most people look for now are high MPG vehicles. With gas prices at an all time high and no sign of a…
Original post by default@goarticles.com (mike legg)
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Ford
Ford has been pretty consistent in saying that it doesn’t expect plug-in vehicles to reach mass-market volumes until at least 2012-13. That doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t have any plug-in vehicles until then. It only means that they don’t expect batteries to reach a price and durability level that will allow them to be sold in large volumes until then. While companies like Mitsubishi, GM, Nissan and Toyota are all expected to have plug-in vehicles on the road by the end of this decade, all them including the Chevy Volt will b sold in comparatively small volumes. if GM hits its targets for the Volt, even that one is only expected to hit about 10,000 units in the first couple of years. Nancy Gioia, Ford’s director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicle programs told an interviewer this week that for plug-in vehicles to reach mass market penetration, the batteries have to be able to last a decade and 150,000 miles. The concern is that if the batteries only last five years and the replacement cost exceeds the residual value of the car, either manufacturers will face huge warranty losses or customers will rebel. Either way, the durability and cost of lithium batteries has to be improved in order to get profitable mass market acceptance of plug-in vehicles.
[Source: Reuters]
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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid
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