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June 10, 2008

Alanis Morissette partners with Mercedes-Benz Blue-Tec

Seven-time Grammy winning artist Alanis Morissette has partnered with Mercedes-Benz and its “Mixed Tape” online music magazine for “Underneath,” the first video/single from her highly anticipated new album Flavors of Entanglement (Maverick/Reprise Records).

Alanis, a strong supporter of environmental causes and organizations, chose the fuel-efficient Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC for the music clip.

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June 8, 2008

Video: Bob Lutz on the Volt Test Mule

By Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman

This week we announced that the GM Board has approved the Chevrolet Volt program. Yes, development work has been going on in earnest, but now it’s official. In fact, recently, at GM’s Milford Proving Ground, I drove an official “engineering development vehicle” with the 16-kwh lithium-ion battery pack we’ve been testing for our E-Flex System and I have to say – pun half-intended – it was electrifying.

Continue reading"Video: Bob Lutz on the Volt Test Mule"

Space Shuttle Crew Tests BMW Hydrogen Vehicle

Munich -- The Space Shuttle crew is getting a taste of the future of mobility at BMW. The astronauts, who normally head into space propelled by hydrogen, have adopted the role of earthbound passengers to experience the world's first hydrogen-powered saloon, the BMW Hydrogen 7.

It is an obvious move considering that NASA was already using the American fleet of these vehicles for test purposes at Cape Canaveral in autumn 2007. Commander Stephen Frick takes stock of his impressions: "It's impressive to see hydrogen functioning so smoothly in cars as well. What I find most striking is that a car running on hydrogen performs just as well as a petrol-driven model."

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Video: General Motors Exec Buys Vectrix Scooter

General Motors electric car champion Bob Lutz has upped his personal commitment to battery-powered transportation with the purchase of an electric scooter.

The GM vice chairman has bought a Vectrix scooter that uses a nickel metal hydride battery pack to give it a range of 45-60 miles and a top speed of about 60 mph. Watch the video of Lutz taking delivery of the scooter.

For more scooter news, read ScooteringUSA.com

June 7, 2008

Cadillac Escalade Adds FlexFuel Capability for 2009

ATLANTA – All models of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade will be able to run on either ordinary gasoline or E85 ethanol, or any combination of the two, General Motors announced Friday.

And customers will have the fueling choice at no additional cost.

The Escalade, Escalade EXT and Escalade ESV as well as the GMC Denali, join the previously announced 2009 Chevrolet HHR, Buick Lucerne and Hummer H2 and H2 SUT as additions to GM’s industry-leading flex-fuel lineup.

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June 6, 2008

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid brings $33,000 at auction for Heal the Bay

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUV sold in America, generated $33,000 for the environmental group Heal the Bay at the organization's annual charity auction.

Ford donated a 2008 Escape Hybrid SUV to Heal the Bay, the Santa Monica-based environmental group dedicated to improving water quality along California's coastline.

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June 5, 2008

Finnish Co-Op Seeks to Electrify Corollas

A Finnish start-up is trying to aggregate over 500 customers to sign up for Toyota Corollas that will be turned into all-electric vehicles -- the theory being that a bulk order will make the cars as affordable as traditional gas models.

While the effort sounds honorable, it's a little short on specifics, such as who is actually going to be doing the conversions, but we understand this is essentially an attempt to create interest first, and flesh out the details later.

June 3, 2008

GM will build the Chevy Volt Electric Car

GM has approved funding to build the Chevy Volt electric vehicle, and confirms that it will come equipped with still experimental lithium-ion batteries. GM expects the Volt to be in showrooms by the end of 2010.

Study: New-Vehicle Shoppers Link Biofuel With Increased Food Prices

IRVINE, Calif. -- According to the latest kbb.com Marketing Research study, 61 percent of new-vehicle shoppers believe that increased biofuel demand has tightened supplies of farmland and water worldwide, thereby pushing food prices up.

In addition, the May 2008 study results reveal that 58 percent of new-car shoppers do not think that national and state governments should subsidize farmers who produce crops aiding in the production of biofuel, such as the production of corn for ethanol-based E-85.

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June 2, 2008

Audi R10 race car gets Biofuel for first time

Ingolstadt – World premiere in motorsport: At the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours on 14/15 June, the three Audi R10 TDI prototypes entered by Audi Sport Team Joest will race for the first time with the next generation of Biofuel manufactured from Biowaste and promising a reduction in the emission of CO2 by almost 90 per cent when compared with traditional diesel.

Audi fields the 650-hp plus R10 TDI, which has already won the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans twice, in sportscar races since 2006.

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Think to export electric vehicles to US in 2009

Norwegian company Think has announced plans to export an all-electric car to the United States in 2009.

The model, known as City, should sticker just under $25,000; it reaches a top speed of 65 miles an hour and can drive up to 110 miles on a single charge. The company hopes to sell as many as 30,000 to 50,000 units a year in the U.S.

May 31, 2008

Toyota may build Prius in the United States

Toyota may be considering building the Prius hybrid at a California plant the company shares with General Motors, according to a published report in the Tokyo Shimbun.

The Tokyo Shimbun said major parts for the Prius would be shipped to the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California, where the vehicle would be assembled. Set up in 1984, NUMMI, or New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., produces the Corolla Matrix and Pontiac Vibe.

May 29, 2008

Chrysler Offers Aspen Hybrid for LPGA Hole in One

Auburn Hills, Mich., -- The Chrysler brand is hoping that one of the 144 Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) players competing in this weekend's 2008 Ginn Tribute Hosted by ANNIKA will shoot a hole-in-one as that golfer will be one of the first to own an all-new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid, due in showrooms later this year.

As one of the founding sponsors of Ginn golf tournaments and the official automotive sponsor, Chrysler is also giving the winner of the 2008 Ginn Tribute an all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible.

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GM Announces California Public Policy Partners for Fuel Cell Project

DETROIT - As a further demonstration of its commitment to fuel cell technology, General Motors handed the keys to four Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles to a group of key government partners who are participating in Chevrolet's Project Driveway - the largest-ever market test of fuel cell-electric vehicles.

More than 100 electric vehicles, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, are being placed in the hands of drivers in New York, California and Washington, DC. Selected drivers include general public, media, influencers, celebrities, business and public policy partners.

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May 28, 2008

DOE Takes Delivery of A Chevy Equinox Electric Vehicle Powered by a Hydrogen Fuel Cell

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With the addition of a Chevy Equinox fuel cell electric vehicle to its fleet of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today joined the team of pioneers - from regular families to media, celebrities and businesses - helping to make fuel cell vehicles a reality.

For the next six months, DOE employees will use the Chevy Equinox electric vehicle to conduct day-to-day business while sharing real-world performance data.

Continue reading"DOE Takes Delivery of A Chevy Equinox Electric Vehicle Powered by a Hydrogen Fuel Cell"

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