Answering the need to be more eco-friendly as far as their business operations are concerned, Team Honda, Team Nissan and Team Toyota have announced the launch of their first carbon neutral dealerships in Lithia Springs, Georgia. After starting out with their tire and oil recycling measures, the auto dealers are now focusing their attention on offsetting their carbon footprint to become the first carbon neutral dealers in Georgia.

The concentration now is to bring down their energy use, a practice that has drawn prices and queries from their customers on where they can get one for their own homes or offices as well. Additionally, employees are given thermal porcelain cups in lieu of the usual Styrofoam which itself is an eco-friendly hazard.

All AutoNation dealerships, Team’s parent company, make it easy for car buyers to shop for more fuel-efficient vehicles with its E-Vehicle program. The program identifies cars and trucks that produce at least 28 miles per gallon or deliver 10 percent better fuel efficiency than average for their class. AutoNation also singles out what they call “F-vehicles” with a yellow leaf logo; these are cars and trucks that use flex-fuel technology.

With the combined efforts of these popular auto dealers, the call to lower carbon emissions and the various practices to attain it should be something customers and employees will learn from. Hopefully they will be the catalyst to improve on the call for better green living needed these day.

(Source) Press

Tags: Auto Dealers, autonation, better fuel efficiency, business operations, car buyers, carbon emissions, fuel efficient vehicles, fuel technology, honda team, launch, leaf logo, lithia springs georgia, miles per gallon, more fuel efficient vehicles, oil recycling, porcelain cups, styrofoam, team honda, team toyota, yellow leaf

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Audi has announced that they will be supporting the Nature Conservancy to help jack up their eco-friendly awareness which will likewise be part of their public awareness campaign for the Audi TDI clean diesel engines. As part of their committed support, Audi will donate $1 to The Nature Conservancy voluntary carbon offset program for every Facebook user who joins the cause.

The donation will directly benefit The Nature Conservancy voluntary carbon offset program, which features the Tensas River Basin as its first project. The Tensas River Basin Project counterbalances carbon emissions by reforesting private lands to capture and store carbon, as well as to restore critical habitats to native species.

Cracking down on the carbon emission issue may seem common these days as various groups and sectors are trying to do their part to address it. And with the intent to help restructure the dilapidating forests through the Nature Conservancy effort, Audi becomes another key player to try in the fight for a cleaner and greener community aside from its contribution towards the car industry.

“Our engineers are always innovating to reduce our vehicles’ carbon emissions, and we’ve taken a giant leap forward with the introduction of the Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel this year,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “But our commitment doesn’t stop with our products; we want to promote reduced emissions through support of organizations like The Nature Conservancy, and also to spread the word about the benefits of reduced emissions.”

(Source) Press

Tags: audi of america, audi q7, audi tdi, car industry, carbon emission, carbon emissions, critical habitats, diesel engines, forests, native species, nature conservancy, public awareness campaign, river basin, tensas river

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The City of Santa Monica becomes the first region to purchase and make use of the first US built electric trucks called the ZeroTruck. This purchase of the ZeroTruck signals the start of the eco-friendly drive of the City of Santa Monica as far as their Sustainability Plan to reduce carbon emissions and the incremental reduction of fuel use.

This truck meets the needs of our Water Division and the goals of our Sustainable City Plan to reduce emissions and reduce our use of petroleum. A zero emission medium-duty truck is something that has never been available to us until now.”

The ZeroTruck is a medium duty truck that is based on the Isuzu N series chassis, the only US built electric vehicle offered in the United States. It boasts of a low cab forward design, automatic transmission and can go up to 100 miles. It likewise comes with advanced lithium batteries, an onboard battery charger, regenerative braking, and powered by a UQM PowerPhase 100 advanced electric motor.

(Source) Press

Tags: automatic transmission, carbon emissions, chassis, electric trucks, electric vehicle, Isuzu, lithium, lithium batteries, medium duty truck, onboard battery charger, petroleum, united states, zero emission

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A joint effort involving ExxonMobil and Electrovaya has opened the doors for a new kind of car sharing and rental program called AltCar. The said program will be launched at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

The car to watch will be the Maya-300, a car that is powered exclusively by lithium-ion battery technology. These new electric vehicles will make up one of the first fleets of all-electric vehicles in a consumer car-sharing and rental program in North America.

“This program is a perfect example of the important role innovative companies and organizations, such as ExxonMobil, Electrovaya and the Maryland Science Center, will play in addressing the world’s need for safe, low emission, fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Sankar Das Gupta, president and chairman, Electrovaya.

With the growing turn towards electric vehicles, it is apparent that the efforts of these two companies and the launch of the Maya-300 will no doubt be welcomed with open arms. As we all try to curb down our carbon emissions and find solutions to fuel problems, a new electric car is certainly something we will all be needing.

(Source) Press

Tags: addressing the world, baltimore maryland, battery technology, car sharing, carbon emissions, consumer car, electric car, electric vehicles, electrovaya, exxonmobil, fuel efficient vehicles, gupta, innovative companies, joint effort, lithium, lithium ion battery

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The call for cars to start applying some eco-friendly decency is on and Lamborghini happens to be one of them. For their part, the target is to cut their carbon emissions by 35% by 2015, a move that will surely be welcomed with open arms in the car industry.

Add to that they will be making their models lighter, adding another factor in efficient motoring as they take some load off the fuel consumption of their popular luxury cars. To top it all off, their manufacturing plants will be cutting emissions as well, turning to solar panels for better heating and lighting systems needed today.

The firm has already launched an updated Gallardo LP 560-4 with an 18% reduction in CO2 emissions by using direct injection to the engine.

(Source) Verdict On Cars

Tags: car industry, carbon emissions, co2 emissions, fuel consumption, Gallardo, Lamborghini, lighter, lighting systems, luxury cars, manufacturing plants, models, verdict on cars

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Adura Systems Inc. continues to improve on its electric range of medium and large vehicles by adding the Freescale Semiconductor’s FlexRay automotive microcontroller for high-speed in-vehicle networking. This development is seen as a great move towards the direction of bringing down the growing problems of carbon emissions while providing more power.

FlexRay technology is unique among vehicle communication systems in its determinism and high speed. This technology, combined with DEFT-net, allows Adura to shift traditional mechanical and electronic complexity into software which increases efficiency and lowers overall systems costs.

“Adura’s selection of Freescale’s S12XF MCU is another milestone for FlexRay technology as the communications standard is now being deployed in both conventional and ‘green’ vehicles,” said Ray Cornyn, director of automotive microcontrollers at Freescale. “By leveraging the exceptional performance of FlexRay technology, Adura is setting compelling new standards for electric and hybrid vehicles that are designed to significantly reduce global emissions.”

(Source) Press

Tags: adura, carbon emissions, communication systems, efficiency, freescale semiconductor, global emissions, High-Speed, hybrid vehicles, microcontrollers, milestone, vehicle communication

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New York gets a facelift of sorts as its sanitation department will now be powered with hybrid-diesel trucks that will clean up the city. Aside from the usual cleaning along the streets of New York, the Kenworth T370 is expected to lead by example in the call for eco-friendly transport solutions aimed at fending off the growing greenhouse gas and carbon emissions caused by public serving vehicles.

“We are pleased to introduce the Kenworth T370 as New York City’s first medium duty diesel-electric hybrid truck,” said Rocco DiRico, Deputy Commissioner of Support Services for the New York City Department of Sanitation. “We are committed to use fuel-efficient vehicles that will reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions and improve the air we breathe. The Kenworth hybrid will help reduce fuel consumption and emissions in New York City.”

Hopefully, this move will help encourage local folks to do the same as far as addressing the eco-friendly concerns the world has to contend with to date. The City’s Kenworth T370 hybrid is equipped with a stakebed body, PACCAR PX-6 engine rated at 240hp and 560 lb-ft of torque, and the Eaton diesel-electric hybrid power system.

The Kenworth hybrid’s assignment is to pick up and deliver supplies and parts for the Department of Sanitation’s various locations throughout the New York City metropolitan area.

(Source) Press

Tags: carbon emissions, department of sanitation, diesel trucks, facelift, fuel consumption, fuel efficient vehicles, greenhouse gas emissions, hybrid power system, new york city department of sanitation, rocco, sanitation department, torque, transport solutions

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Thanks to its fleet of vehicles committed towards curbing down carbon emissions and providing an improved fuel-efficient lineup, Vauxhall’s ecoFlex vehicles have been lauded by Fleet World. Vauxhall has some notable vehicles under its wing that includes the Vauxhall Insignia and Astra ecoFlex, which have so far done their part in contributing towards an eco-friendly environment.

‘With its ecoFLEX range, Vauxhall has committed to reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in cars with conventional internal combustion engines: It achieves this through clever technological and aerodynamic innovation. The aim is, quite simply, to make highly efficient vehicles available at affordable prices.

Without a doubt, Vauxhall has achieved all that. And with their vehicles going green, it should not be surprising why this car brand may be one of the car companies to run to especially if you are planning to get into the eco-friendly driving bit.

(Source) Easier.com

Tags: Astra, car brand, carbon emissions, Cars, co2 emissions, ecoflex, fleet world, Insignia, internal combustion engines, reducing fuel consumption, Vauxhall

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As far as new cars are concerned, it is not surprising that most motorists are turning towards hybrid technology to curb down carbon emissions and better fuel efficient vehicles. This seems to be the trend these days as we see most car manufacturers unveiling their own version of hybrids, potentially to lure a curious market on the ideal car to have today.

The new 2010 automobiles will soon change the future in transportation as conventional vehicles make the switch to hybrid cars. The new cars also qualify for government incentives to use as a 2009 hybrid car tax credit. Hybrid cars can achieve better fuel efficiency and are led by car manufacturers including Ford Motor Company, Toyota, Honda, and General Motors.

The big switch is indeed apparent. We have been seeing various advertisements and promotions for the new breed of hybrids. And this time, it is not just a marketing gimmick. These car giants are really gearing towards the market demand. With due consideration to the two factors, carbon emissions and fuel efficiency, the product is that of having a hybrid or electric car in your lineup, something that we can see in most vehicle showrooms for customers looking for a new vehicle to own.

(Source) News Oxy

Tags: better fuel efficiency, car giants, car manufacturers, car tax, carbon emissions, conventional vehicles, due consideration, electric car, ford motor, ford motor company, fuel efficient vehicles, government incentives, hybrid car tax credit, hybrid cars, hybrid technology, hybrids, motor company toyota, new cars, vehicle showrooms

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The Obama Administration is set to reveal the new vehicle emission standards to help guide current car manufacturers and curb down the growing issue of greenhouse gases. As far as these new standards are concerned, expect them to be stricter as U.S. president Barack Obama leads the way in making sure that eco-friendly issues are being addressed from the car sector.

It will also establish high fuel efficiency targets for new vehicles that would set a 35.5 mile per gallon average for new passenger vehicles and light trucks by 2016, four years earlier than required under the 2007 energy bill, sources close to the administration said.

This development is also seen to be in line with the call of the State of California in address the long standing problem of carbon emissions. The administration is embracing standards stringent enough to satisfy the state of California which has been fighting for a waiver from federal law so that it could set its own guidelines.

(Source) Washington Post

Tags: Barack Obama, car sector, carbon emissions, energy bill, fuel efficiency, greenhouse gases, light trucks, new vehicles, passenger vehicles, state of california, targets, vehicle emission standards

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The United Kingdom has made good its promise to address the growing problem of carbon emissions by older cars as its car scrappage scheme was officially inaugurated today, providing owners a £2,000 discount if they surrender their car for scrappage. Cars over 10 years are eligible for the scheme.

Now before you go on considering this deal, would £2,000 be sufficient to get rid of that old automobile in lieu for a new one? Depending of course on the type of car you will be getting, you just have to do some pencil pushing. New cars don’t come cheap despite the price cuts and discount deals that car manufacturers are undertaking to survive.

One cry is to adjust the said discount deal, something more tempting to be able to get a good vehicle in the market. Though nothing has been said for now, it looks like this deal will remain the same although it is likely studies may be ongoing as we speak.

“There are so many good deals out there on pre-registered nearly-new stock that actually it’s easier to find a car with a bigger discount under these pre-registered deals than it is under the scrappage scheme,” said Kieran Puffett, editor of Parker’s.

(Source) BBC

Tags: 10 years, automobile, BBC, car manufacturers, car scrappage scheme, carbon emissions, discount deals, good deals, kieran, new cars, older cars, pencil, uk car, united kingdom

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For most vehicles, the proper maintenance and car for car engines is important. Hence, we see a lot of cars and engines out there that have been around but are sure to be root causes of dangerous carbon emissions. It has been tradition that overhauls or engine rebuilding are a good way to upkeep the performance of engines, something that motorists are advised to take today especially if they are hit with financial shortcomings.

Several plans are currently being debated in the public forum in an attempt to find a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these concepts have been debated for years — setting higher mileage standards, implementing advanced technologies, and passing “cash for clunkers” legislation. The head of one of the country’s largest engine parts distribution groups says one simple, quicker and less costly idea is starting to gain more attention — professionally rebuilding worn-out and inefficient engines of the millions of older cars and trucks now on the road.

The president of Engine Parts Group, Inc., Thomas Hobson, says that the 25,000 independent shops that make up the U.S. engine rebuilding industry have been restoring auto power plants to original specs for decades and are now beginning to be recognized for their “green” contributions.

“We hear a lot of talk about various ideas to reduce emissions, but policy makers and the public are starting to realize that the rebuilding of older engines may represent one of the fastest, cheapest and least wasteful ways to reduce automobile emissions.”

The U.S. Department of Energy’s fuel efficiency Web site shows that the simple act of keeping an engine properly tuned can save up to 165 gallons of gas per year. Checking spark plugs, oxygen sensors, air filters, hoses and belts are a few examples of maintenance that can result in potential savings of more than $400. Hobson says a complete professional engine rebuild would save that, and much more by restoring engine efficiency to original specs.

(Source) Press

Tags: air filters, auto power, automobile emissions, car engines, carbon emissions, distribution groups, engine efficiency, engine parts, engine rebuilding, fuel efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, hobson, independent shops, older cars, oxygen sensors, power plants, professional engine, proper maintenance, root causes, spark plugs

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People who are expected to go out this summer get an added option with Black Swamp Equipment as the company has added U-Haul trucks and trailer rentals to products that it is offering. Families needing the finest in moving services now will have increased convenience and a shorter distance to travel when moving, which not only will make their move easier but also will have the positive effect of reducing the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere.

U-Haul partnering with business owners across North America to increase convenience for customers while helping our environment is just one of the programs that support U-Haul Company’s Corporate Sustainability initiatives.

Black Swamp Equipment can now offer its customers a variety of moving equipment and supplies designed specifically for moving household furnishings, including moving vans, open trailers, closed trailers, furniture pads, appliance dollies, furniture dollies, tow dollies and auto transports.

Black Swamp Equipment also will offer sales items to protect their customers’ belongings and make moving easier, such as heavy-duty boxes, which are made of up to 90 percent recycled content and are available in a variety of sizes.

(Source) Press

Tags: added option, appliance dollies, auto transports, black swamp, business owners, carbon emissions, corporate sustainability, furniture dollies, furniture pads, haul trucks, household furnishings, moving equipment, moving services, moving vans, open trailers, sustainability initiatives, tow dollies, trailer rentals, u haul company

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Vehicle conversion systems aimed to address the growing issues of carbon emissions and energy consumption may soon be within reach as Foreign Affairs: Zero! has been selected as one of only twelve certified installation centers in the US to exclusively offer the HYMOTION L5 Plug-in Prius Conversion Module from A123 Systems. The L5 Module allows Foreign Affairs to convert Prius Hybrid Vehicles into Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV) capable of achieving 100+ Miles per Gallon.

A123 Systems officially announced the appointment for Foreign Affairs as a Certified HYMOTION Installation Partner (CHIP) in January 2009. “We applaud our nation’s administration for providing strong incentives for businesses, individual consumers, and municipalities to lower their carbon footprint through individual vehicles. The Plug-in Hybrid simply does just that,” continued Jonathan Ortiz. “Since the appointment from A123 Systems, we have created three new job positions and since filled them. We feel very proud to do our part in creating these ‘green-collar’ jobs intended by the Stimulus Act.”

Foreign Affairs: Zero! also represents other quality Zero-Emission Vehicles such as the All-Electric ZENN Car and the All-Electric Highway-Capable Vectrix Motor Scooter. Foreign Affairs:Zero! was chosen to be the exclusive Florida HYMOTION dealer for their strong support of environmental initiatives, outstanding business reputation, and their ongoing commitment to introducing advanced vehicle technologies.

(Source) Press

Tags: a123 systems, business reputation, carbon emissions, carbon footprint, conversion systems, energy consumption, environmental initiatives, foreign affairs, hybrid vehicles, hymotion, motor scooter, plug in hybrid, plug in hybrids, Prius, Stimulus, vehicle conversion, zenn car, zero emission vehicles

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While the entry of plug-in hybrid vehicles has been hailed as the ultimate solution to the growing problems of gas consuming cars as well as remedying the carbon emissions issue, not all motorists seem to be comfortable with the change in transport choices.

While improved fuel economy is the top reason cited for considering a plug-in hybrid, lower operating costs and positive environmental impact also contribute to interest. “With gasoline hovering around $2.00 per gallon, there is no real economic case for plug-in hybrids right now,” said Bryan Krulikowski, Morpace Vice President. “Those interested in plug-ins are also considering the non-economic benefits provided by the technology.”

Given the technology’s high up-front purchase cost, Krulikowski added, it’s not surprising that consideration is strongest among luxury car owners. However, those driving mid-size cars and minivans also tend to be more interested in plug-in hybrids.

The technology faces hurdles beyond purchase price. Among those not interested in plug-in hybrids, the primary concern is limited driving range during all-electric operation. “Consumers expect to drive more than 40 miles using only the electric motor,” Krulikowski said. “Further, the lack of infrastructure to support re-charging these vehicles weighs on consumers’ minds.”

Being able to re-charge the vehicle at home is important to 90 percent of consumers. Among all study respondents, 67 percent indicate having access to an outlet at the location where they park overnight. “That leaves a significant number of consumers who must rely on re-charging locations other than home,” Krulikowski pointed out. On average, consumers say they will pay $5.70 per hour to re-charge a plug-in hybrid at a public location.

(Source) Press

Tags: car owners, carbon emissions, driving range, economic benefits, economic case, environmental impact, fuel economy, hurdles, hybrid vehicles, luxury car, mid size cars, minivans, motorists, plug in hybrids, plug ins, public location, transport choices

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