…it’s the government’s fault.

Okay, I know, it’s something of a non sequitur to launch right into blaming the government with absolutely no preamble, but that’s cool.  Because I’ve got the backing to support it.  It’s not ALL the government’s fault, of course, but there’s blame enough for everybody.

One, a huge problem is regulation.  As it turns out, most of those “good, small diesels” I reference above are too small for most American markets.  They have really slow zero to sixty times, which doesn’t work out too well for Americans who actually NEED rapid acceleration for things like merging and making left turns in congested areas.  So the power on most diesel over here is ramped up accordingly and from there, boom.  There are also problems with the various filter systems and a surprising difference between United States and European emissions laws.

Suddenly the emissions are too nasty, and the model is useless here.

Two, there’s a huge cost problem.  Diesel engines are, by their very nature, more expensive to build than regular gas or flex-fuel vehicles, and then when you have to add that power boost, there’s an extra cost tacked on besides.

So between these two factors, good, small diesels are downright hard to come by out here in the States.

Tags: cost, diesel, emissions, emissions standards, government, regulation, small diesel

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The new generation Volvo hybrid double deck buses made a memorable debut today at the Alexandra Palace, signaling the start of eco-friendly transportation that are tasked to render service to Arriva London.

A total of six Volvo B5L Hybrid Double Deck buses have recently entered service on Route 141 in the UK’s capital city and representatives from Volvo Bus and Arriva London, together with other stakeholders gathered to formally mark another historic occasion at the Alexandra Palace.

The new Hybrid Double Deck buses offer savings both in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. Evidence from test tack development and in service field trials with Arriva London show significant savings in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (C02) emissions as well as reduction in Nitrous Oxides and particulates.

(Source) Press

Tags: alexandra palace, arriva, buses, carbon dioxide, double deck, emissions, fuel consumption, London, new generation, nitrous oxides, stakeholders, Volvo, volvo bus

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Don’t look now but Aston Martin, the same company that brought to us the 6.0 litre DBS which we saw in the Quantum of Solace, is reportedly set to unveil a new eco-friendly Supermini in the car scene soon. The 1.0 hatchback which they are calling the Cygnet which accelerate from 0 to 60 seconds in 14.7 seconds. Whoa!

The car will be eligible for the cheapest tax band thanks to its low emissions. The car is based on Toyota’s IQ city car but is given the Aston Martin makeover with a sporty grille, alloy wheels, and luxury interior.

The Cygnet will cost a fraction of its high-powered siblings, such as the £160,000 DBS, by selling for around the £20,000 mark.

(Source) Telegraph

Tags: Aston Martin, band thanks, car scene, cygnet, emissions, quantum, siblings, supermini, Toyota

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The Mazda Motor Corporation is continuously looking for ways to be a better global citizen. With the new “Aqua-Tech Paint System” that reduces the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) by 57% and improves the paint job, it looks like they are staying on track. “Aqua-Tech” upholds the same world-class low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as Mazda’s current “Three Layer Wet Paint” system but further reduces VOC emissions to barely 15 grams per square meter of body surface.

While naturally lower in VOC emissions than solvent-based paint, drying water-based paints uses much more energy and, thus, increases CO2. Mazda have mastered this with a combo of improved paint technology and a more efficient evaporative drying system. Mazda has set up the Aqua-tech Paint System for vehicle body painting at its Ujina Plant No.1 in Japan.

Tags: Aqua-Tech, emissions, Mazda, paint system, VOC

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For the Volkswagen who have always had problems getting the right parts for their car, the opening of this new state-of-the-art parts center by Volkswagen of America should settle all those issues in Jacksonville, Fla. Other than putting to rest on how hard it is to get parts, this is also a sign that Volkswagen plans to expand their business in the U.S.

“Volkswagen knows that environmental responsibility requires much more than increased fuel efficiency and fewer emissions. We consider the environment in everything we do, including this distribution center, which uses new technologies to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency.”

Features of the new center include:

• Dock doors with special insulation to prevent the loss of heating and cooling;
• Equipment chargers designed to reduce energy consumption by more than 25 percent;
• Advanced fluorescent lights linked to motion sensors that reduce electricity consumption by up to 60 percent; and
• Nearly 50 skylights providing natural lighting.

With more than $18 million in inventory and nearly 50,000 unique part numbers, the new center is larger than the former Jacksonville parts distribution center that was put up before. Construction on the new facility began in November 2007.

(Source) Press

Tags: chargers, distribution center, doors, efficiency features, electricity consumption, emissions, energy consumption, environmental responsibility, fluorescent lights, fuel efficiency, heating and cooling, insulation, jacksonville fla, motion sensors, natural lighting, skylights, state of the art, volkswagen, volkswagen of america

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General Motors has officially launched the Global Battery Systems Lab, a new facility that is expected to be a haven for the expected swarm of electric cars thriving on electric batteries. This new facility is likewise expected to speed up the car manufacturing efforts of General Motors for new hybrid vehicles which also includes the Chevy Volt.

The state-of-the-art facility is the size of seven basketball courts and is the largest in the United States. A team of more than 1,000 engineers will work on energy alternatives and advanced technologies that reduce dependence on petroleum, improve fuel economy and reduce emissions; putting cleaner, more efficient cars on the road more quickly and affordably.

You can check the video on this new battery lab here.

(Source) Press

Tags: art facility, automotive battery, basketball courts, battery systems, chevy volt, efficient cars, electric batteries, electric cars, emissions, energy alternatives, fuel economy, General Motors, hybrid vehicles, largest in the united states, petroleum, swarm

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While other companies are facing the financial woes brought about a declining economy, Vauxhall UK continues to make great strides. Normally, you would link them to the misfortunes of General Motors but apparently, this European car maker has made the right decisions as far as their car line is concerned. In fact it looks like their latest model, the Vauxhall Astra Hatch will be something to watch once it hits the market slated later this year.

To get them through the recession, it is obvious that some companies have turned to adjustments as far as their overall car quality is concerned. But don’t tell that to Vauxhall which has successfully retained vehicle quality both in and out.

“Vauxhalls continued commitment to engine downsizing without trouncing performance is a master stroke. Running costs and low emissions are at the forefront of consumers mind. This car is for those who want style and power without compromising on costs and ethics.”

Indeed, you may think that should such a feature be compromised, the car would fail to achieve in retaining its mark of quality. But with the right adjustments made to areas that include passenger comfort and a FlexiRide system, motorists would barely notice the difference. In short, the concept of the new vehicle is astounding and produces a car worthy taking note of.

(Source) Press

Tags: car line, car maker, car quality, declining economy, downsizing, emissions, ethics, financial woes, forefront, General Motors, great strides, hatch, master stroke, misfortunes, motorists, recession, running costs, vauxhall astra, vauxhall uk, vehicle quality

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Thanks to a tax incentive announced by the Japanese government on low-emission cars, Nissan received a large orders for its eco-friendly cars. Among the notable vehicles that may lead the uprising demand in Japan included the NV200 Nissan Vanette light commercial vehicle bringing the total to 15 on domestic cars that are eligible for tax breaks.

Japan had lowered taxes on green vehicles last month which is foreseen to put an additional 310,000 vehicles in sales in the financial year to March 2010. Nissan for its part took the initiative for the impending demand, improving their engines with a big marketing push.

Nissan’s Shiga acknowledged that the lack of a hybrid car was a concern it often heard from dealers, but stressed that its extensive offering of fuel-efficient gasoline-engine cars would help lower emissions on the whole at the automaker.

(Source) Asia One

Tags: domestic cars, eco friendly cars, emission cars, emissions, engine cars, gasoline engine, hybrid car, initiative, Japan, japanese government, marketing, Nissan, nissan cars, nissan vanette, shiga, Tax Breaks, tax incentive, uprising

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Bosch promotes its green initiative as an automotive expert at the SAE World Congress where it will showcase its various expertise and technical programs, partaking in the Earth Day Green Ride-n-Drive event and exhibiting in the main showroom. Additionally, for the fourth consecutive year, Bosch will sponsor the show’s final event, the banquet afterglow, which brings together industry leaders.

“As the Tier 1 Strategic Partner, we are proud to support Honda as the host company, SAE International and the industry, in continuing the dialogue on green mobility, and fostering collaboration to bring new technologies to the market,” said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC. “SAE 2009 World Congress is a great venue for Bosch to share our expertise and highlight our commitment to providing innovative and quality technologies that help protect the environment, reduce energy consumption and emissions.”

Bosch also will participate in the Earth Day Green Ride-n-Drive on April 22, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. along Civic Center Drive and Atwater at the back of Cobo Center. The event allows invited guests — including industry and government leaders and members of the media — to experience first-hand, powertrain technologies available for production, as well as those that will be available in the future.

A variety of Bosch technologies will be on display at its exhibit, Booth number 1236, on the SAE 2009 World Congress show floor. The exhibit will also feature a start/stop simulator and an exhaust aftertreatment demonstration.

(Source) Press

Tags: booth number, civic center drive, emissions, energy consumption, exhaust aftertreatment, government leaders, industry leaders, powertrain, sae world congress, strategic partner

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Dana Holding Corporation has come up with a conceptual hybrid transmission system called the Spicer TE-15HX, an electric parallel hybrid that features a dual power path transmission control system. This system continuously monitors operating conditions and selects the proper combination of diesel and electric power to optimize productivity while reducing fuel consumption, emissions, noise, and engine idling.

This system continuously monitors operating conditions and selects the proper combination of diesel and electric power to optimize productivity while reducing fuel consumption, emissions, noise, and engine idling.

Whenever possible, the TE-15HX control system disengages the diesel engine and supplies power generated by super capacitors for inching and other vehicle operations that require low energy consumption. It also provides power for lights, climate control systems, and other electrical accessories.

For light loads, the diesel engine works alone to power the vehicle while the electric device serves as a generator to efficiently charge the super capacitors for later use. Vehicle braking is also an important source of regenerative energy for recharging the capacitors. When additional tractive effort is required, the controller directs the electric device to function as a motor and provide a second source of power for added torque boost and faster take-off.

(Source) Press

Tags: capacitors, climate control systems, diesel engine, dual power, electrical accessories, emissions, energy consumption, light loads, low energy, power path, reducing fuel consumption, transmission control, transmission system, vehicle operations

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For a company that is in trouble, you have to admire how their branches are trying to weather the storm. General Motors has been in the news lately and has been reportedly experiencing turbulence in the financial world but don’t tell that to their Australian branch which is launching a new line of vehicles carrying the EcoLine title.

The EcoLine vehicles will highlight the companies use of alternative fuels, fuel saving technology, and hybrid and electric models. Initially, the EcoLine of vehicles will include diesels, liquified petroleum cars, and vehicles with active fuel management systems that can cut power to cylinders to save gas. In 2010, Holden will introduce an E85 vehicles into its lineup.

But the big news is that GM’s Holden group will introduce the extended range Chevy Volt electric vehicle in Australia in 2012. The Australian automotive market appears to be behind most of the world in terms of advanced engines and low emissions. The technologies introduced by the EcoLine such as E85, cylinder deactivation, advanced diesels, are all available in the U.S. and most have been for years.

Australia’s demand for fuel efficient vehicles may be behind the times, but a Chevy Volt will be a big step towards lower emissions and acceptance of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.

(Source) All Cars Electric

Tags: alternative fuels, automotive market, chevy volt, country source, cylinder deactivation, diesels, e85 vehicles, electric models, electric vehicle, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel efficient vehicles, fuel management systems, fuel saving, General Motors, GM, holden, liquified petroleum, turbulence, volt electric

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The best commercial truck of the year will be known on April 19 as five heavy duty trucks vie for the first ever ATD award. The nominees for the Class 8 commercial trucks sold in the United States are: Freightliner Cascadia, International LoneStar, Kenworth T660, Mack Titan and Peterbilt Model 386.

“Commercial truck manufacturing continues to make strides in innovation, advances in exterior and interior design and engine development that improves fuel economy and reduces emissions,” says Kyle Treadway, ATD chairman. “An award that recognizes the top commercial trucks as the best in the industry is long overdue.”

The winner will be announced April 19 at the ATD Convention & Expo, which will be held at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C., April 18-20.

(Source) Press

Tags: atd convention, cascadia, class 8, commercial trucks, emissions, fuel economy, gaylord, heavy duty trucks, innovation, interior design, kenworth t660, lonestar, peterbilt model, strides, titan, treadway, washington d c

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Who says Mercedes Benz is ignorant when it comes to developing eco-friendly cars? Well if the Mercedes Benz F-Cell Roadster is any indication, this is perhaps their ticket towards alternative cars using eco-friendly modes of transportation. The concept car is the F-Cell Roadster, an emissions-free vehicle whose body is patterned after the brand’s 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car.

It was created as a “training project,” meaning the company essentially used junior-level employees to create the concept. Nice to see that while some automakers are sweating things out, at least one has plenty of time to goof off with style.

(Source) Men.Style.Com

Tags: alternative cars, automakers, concept car, eco friendly cars, emissions, Mercedes-Benz, patent, roadster

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Many of you may have noticed that while cars are all metal, the quality and means of trying to mold this metal into something lighter is one of the considerations being done by car manufacturers today. New data released today indicates automakers continue to innovate with greater use of aluminum to boost fuel economy, cut emissions and improve safety.

A new study by Ducker Worldwide, commissioned by The Aluminum Association, Inc., confirms that in North America the use of automotive aluminum is at an all-time high, averaging 8.6 percent of vehicle curb weight in 2009 calendar year vehicles, up from just 2 percent in 1970 and 5.1 percent in 1990. Additionally, the integration of aluminum in cars and light trucks is projected to be nearly 11 percent of curb weight by 2020.

On a worldwide basis, the amount of aluminum content for light vehicles is 7.8 percent of the average worldwide light vehicle curb weight of 3,185 pounds in 2009. Content growth is predicted to continue at a rate of four-to-five pounds per vehicle, per year, and approach 300 pounds per vehicle worldwide in 2020.

(Source) Press

Tags: all time high, aluminum association, aluminum content, automakers, calendar year, car manufacturers, Cars, content growth, ducker worldwide, emissions, evolution, fuel economy, light trucks, light vehicles, lighter, north america, vehicle curb weight

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Considered to be more of a production version, the Peugeot is pretty much a rival to Nissan’s successful Qashqai, a family hatch with the height advantage of an SUV. Efficient engines, lightweight and front-wheel-drive keep emissions down to 130g/km. The interior has a new level of plush quality for Peugeot.

The deep bodywork gives a huge boot, which can be subdivided in various ways and is reachable by a handy split tailgate, the lower section is bottom-hinged like a pick-up to give you somewhere to sit for those family picnics where you can’t quite be bothered to walk away from the car park.

(more…)

Tags: bodywork, car park, emissions, front wheel drive, hatch, Nissan, off roader, Peugeot, qashqai, tailgate

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