Toyota launches its first internal combustion hybrid lift truck, GENEO-HYBRID, an 8,000 lb. counterbalanced lift truck that combines a 2.5-liter diesel engine, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 50%. This new offering from Toyota Industrial Corporation will make its debut in the Japanese market this December.

As businesses look to reduce fuel costs and decrease CO2 emissions, Toyota Hybrid technology offers a practical, proven solution by capitalizing on the advantages of existing fuel sources and infrastructure. The new GENEO-HYBRID lift truck will cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in half while delivering the operational performance of an equivalent conventional diesel-powered lift truck. The result is a lift truck that provides both improved environmental performance and economic benefits for customers due to lower fuel costs.

“Toyota has been a leader in hybrid development for years with the very popular Prius vehicle,” said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. “We are excited to see hybrid technology entering the mainstream of material handling. This is a huge step forward for our industry.”

(Source) Press

Tags: co2 emissions, diesel engine, economic benefits, environmental performance, fuel consumption, fuel costs, fuel sources, hybrid development, hybrid technology, industry source, internal combustion, japanese market, nickel metal hydride, nickel metal hydride battery, Prius, toyota industrial

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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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Toyota Motor Corp. sets the records straight. They are offering to help provide hybrid technology to General Motors but not sell it. In short, the deal means that Toyota will help them develop hybrid technology and not spill the beans on their own.

Apparently this had to be done since a lot of people were thinking that Toyota will be selling its hybrid formula to the embattled US car manufacturer. Toyota may be losing but is far from coming close to being bankrupt compared to GM.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported, without naming its sources, that Toyota would be ready to provide the technology if GM asks for it, even if the Detroit carmaker seeks bankruptcy protection.

But a Toyota official said the Japanese giant was “not considering it.”

(Source) Asia One

Tags: bankruptcy protection, car manufacturer, carmaker, General Motors, GM, hybrid technology, Toyota, toyota motor, toyota motor corp

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GE Transportation continues its commitment towards developing and providing leading hybrid technology solutions with the announced plans to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant for advanced storage batteries.

The new battery business will be a part of GE Transportation and will serve customers in the rail, marine, mining, telecommunications and utility sectors. As the leading producer of diesel-electric locomotives, GE has a rich history of delivering breakthrough technologies that are today commonplace in the rail industry.

GE has invested more than $150 million to develop advanced battery technologies, including a high energy-density sodium-based chemistry battery that will provide energy storage for a variety applications, including GE Transportation’s ecomagination certified Evolution Hybrid Locomotive, mining truck drive system and tugboat electrification.

The new $100 million production facility will be located in upstate New York in the Capital Region and will create 350 new manufacturing jobs. New York State has partnered with GE in this project by pledging more than $15 million in incentives. GE also is in the process of filing an application for U.S. Department of Energy stimulus funding for this project.

(Source) Press

Tags: battery business, battery manufacturing, battery technologies, breakthrough technologies, diesel electric locomotives, electrification, energy density, energy storage, hybrid locomotive, Hybrid Technologies, hybrid technology, locomotives ge, manufacturing jobs, manufacturing plant, project source, rich history, storage batteries, tugboat, utility sectors, variety applications

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Volvo Hybrid Buses hit the streets first in Goteborg, providing a first as far as the Volvo brand is concerned outside that of private transportation means. The Göteborgs Spårvägar transit company is participating in a field test with the hybrid bus that provides major fuel savings as a result of electric drive and shutting off the diesel engine at bus stops.

Environmental issues are high on the agenda among politicians in Göteborg and this applies to a great extent within traffic policy. There are distinct environmental demands the entire way from the politicians in the traffic committee, through the officials at the city’s Traffic Office and those responsible for procurement at the Västtrafik county public services agency to the operators, including Göteborgs Spårvägar.

Hybrid solutions for heavy vehicles have existed for many years, but they have been too expensive and reduced emissions too little, as a result of which they did not achieve market penetration. The Volvo Group’s new hybrid technology changes this. The company has developed a technology that is common for buses, trucks and construction equipment. In this manner, the Group secures large component volumes and subsequently lower costs.

Volvo’s hybrid technology contributes to a quieter and cleaner city environment. Fuel consumption, and consequently the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, is reduced by up to 30% depending on where the bus is operating in traffic. The emission of nitrous oxides and particles declines by 40-50% compared with a conventional diesel bus.

In the near future, Volvo Buses will also start field tests with the first of six hybrid double-decker buses in London.

(Source) Press

Tags: city environment, diesel bus, double decker buses, environmental demands, fuel consumption, gas carbon dioxide, greenhouse gas, hybrid bus, hybrid buses, hybrid solutions, hybrid technology, market penetration, nitrous oxides, traffic committee, traffic office, volvo brand, volvo buses, volvo group

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Ford will certainly be in the limelight at the 2009 SAE World Congress, as focus will be centered on the EcoBoost engine technology, the hybrid system that led the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to best-in- class 41 highway mpg and Ford’s aggressive electrification plan. This year’s conference theme: “Racing to Green Mobility.”

Ford engineers, researchers and academia will present more than 70 papers during the conference. Ford also is offering up the expertise of Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and Advanced Engineering; and Sherif Marakby, chief engineer, Ford Global Hybrid Engineering; for interactive discussions on powertrain technology solutions.

Ford’s Marakby will speak to trends in consumer hybrid purchase considerations during the “Making Green Cool While Staying in the Black” panel discussion on April 21. Ford’s innovative SmartGauge with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster will be illustrated as a perfect example of cool-factor hybrid technology.

“What we are discovering is that the notion of a hybrid and its outstanding fuel economy is what may draw the consumer to the showroom, but it’s the cool factor – the HMI displays, the next-generation navigation system, Ford SYNC functionality – that is a significant dynamic in the customer purchase decision,” said Marakby.

(Source) Press

Tags: advanced engineering, chief technical officer, electrification, engine technology, ford engineers, ford fusion, fuel economy, hybrid system, hybrid technology, powertrain technology, sae world congress

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PHETT stands for Pluggable Hybrid Electric Terminal Tractor, the latest evolution of innovative hybrid technology, combining the advantages of scientific and mechanical expertise to reduce emissions and overall carbon footprints.

The PHETT is a charge sustaining series hybrid that utilizes a constant and efficient rate generator to supply power, reducing fuel consumption by 60% and audible db by 30%. With the lowest operational cost per hour, the PHETT also incorporates an AC traction motor and on-board grid-charging system.

Integration and introduction of this technology into the flagship Capacity Trailer Jockey line included review and redesign of front & rear axles, steering system, frame structure, suspension and isolation of components as well as adjustments for cab interior space requirements; all resulting in optimum performance and design for terminal tractor applications.

Local and state government representatives, including U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX.), and Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX.), will be present at the Capacity plant, located at 401 Capacity Drive in Longview, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. on April 14th, 2009 for launch and recognition of this new technology serving the material handling industry.

(Source) Press

Tags: hybrid technology, interior space, kay bailey hutchison, reducing fuel consumption, trailer jockey

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With Earth Day just around the corner, focus shifts on the top vehicles in the market today. NADAguides.com announces its Top Five Cleanest Conventional Cars of 2009, simply suggesting that hybrids aren’t the only choice for those who wish to minimize the environmental impact of their driving.

NADAguides.com is a huge proponent of hybrid and alternative fuel technology, but given that the industry will be highlighting hybrids for Earth Day the company wanted to show that there are conventional vehicles that can help cut down on air pollution.

To provide consumers with an alternative to alternative fuel vehicles, the NADAguides.com Market Data Analysts evaluated fuel economy and emissions data and determined that the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, MINI Cooper, Pontiac G5 and Hyundai Elantra are the Top Five Cleanest Conventional Cars of 2009.

“It is no surprise that on Earth Day the automotive world will be focused on the latest and greatest hybrid vehicles, but the fact remains that consumers are still overwhelmingly buying and driving conventional gasoline cars,” said Michael Caudill, spokesperson for NADAguides.com. “The Top Five Cleanest Conventional Cars show that consumers have options for vehicles that are easy on the environment without the higher price point of emerging hybrid technology.”

(Source) Press

Tags: air pollution, alternative fuel vehicles, chevrolet cobalt, conventional cars, conventional gasoline, conventional vehicles, earth day, emissions data, ford focus, fuel economy, fuel technology, gasoline cars, hybrid technology, hybrid vehicles, hyundai elantra, nadaguides, pontiac g5, technology source

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If you are in the market for a great but cost-friendly hybrid car, chances are you should check out the new Honda Insight. The all-new 2010 Honda Insight goes on sale March 24 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $19,800 for the Insight LX, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The distinctively styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist(TM) (IMA(TM)) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i-VTEC(R) gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 miles per gallon(2). The Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist(TM)), an innovation that can further enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles.

“The all-new Honda Insight brings the cost of entry for hybrid technology within closer reach of an entirely new car-shopping audience,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where it can also make financial sense for a broader range of customers.”

(Source) Press

Tags: american honda motor, american honda motor co, gasoline engine, highway fuel economy, honda insight, hybrid car, hybrid technology, hybrid vehicle, kilowatt, new era

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