With the projected demand for electric and hybrid vehicles expected to boom in the coming years, the need for lithium-ion batteries is expected to rise as well. And while many companies have come up with their various versions of lithium-ion batteries for their cars, Nissan and Ener1 have partnered to try and come up with a new generation of electrical conductive material intended to reduce cost and improve the performance of electric and hybrid vehicle batteries.

For sure, once electric transportation dominates the market, focus will be on the batteries for cars. We have seen a wide array of lithium-ion batteries in the market and for sure further enhancements will be coming out once they are used in the market.

Apparently, Nissan is not taking any chances. And with their affiliation with Ener1, Nissan is looking towards the future for broader options as far as batteries are concerned. It is practically imminent that lithium-ion batteries will be replacing fuel and be the next need that motorists will be cramming for.

(Source) Press

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Toyota Motors Europe plans to start manufacturing its first European built hybrid Auris in the United Kingdom by the middle of this year. This further solidifies Toyota’s continued commitment to low-emission hybrid vehicles following their success with the famed Toyota Prius.

The Toyota Auris actually came out to the European Market in 2007 and has been decently selling to the market. However under the new plan, the new Toyota Auris will now come equipped with a 1.33-litre dual VVT-i engine and Toyota’s Start&Stop technology, reducing CO2 emissions by 17% (135 g/km) and improving fuel consumption by 19%.

‘With today’s announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers. Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads,’ said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President, TME.

(Source) Press

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As far as their site is concerned, CarMax can confirm the wandering thoughts on which cars are being searched for today. And the two popular cars are the hybrid and diesel vehicles, two cars that cater to cheaper fuel that is easy on the pockets.

This is not entirely surprising considering that this trend has been all over the news and rampant among automotive discussions. People are becoming wiser, turning to these vehicles mainly because fuel is getting costlier by the day. Motorists are shifting towards alternative vehicles but you can be assured that a lot of the famous car brand names still come up.

Popular hybrid vehicles on carmax.com include the Toyota Prius, Lexus RX400h and the Honda Civic hybrid while popular diesel vehicles include the Ford F350, Dodge Ram 3500 and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

As you can see, the big name cars are still there. This stems from the fact that these auto manufacturers were ready since the whole fuel issue hit us. So with this post, you now have a guide for yourself in case you are looking for a reliable car to use.

(Source) Press

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Volvo is shifting into high gear for their fuel cell technology venture, possibly creating additional jobs in Stockholm if everything goes according to plan. Swedish Energy Agency and the Volvo Group are investing SEK 200 M in Volvo’s development of fuel cells. The investment will create around 100 new positions in the Gothenburg region within the next three years.

In the autumn of 2009, Powercell Sweden will need to hire around 60 people in an entirely new plant in the Gothenburg region. Per Wassén, who is Investment Director at Volvo Technology Transfer and chairman of Powercell Sweden AB, foresees that the company will create around 100 new jobs within the next three years.

With the growing need for alternative energy and fuel for various means but largely for vehicles, fuel cell technology can truly be a big help towards the efforts of local motorists and car companies. A fuel cell resembles a small battery. It is charged with hydrogen gas and converts this into electricity, water and carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction.

The areas of use can be power supply units for households, trucks, boats, radio masts in remote locations and electric hybrid vehicles. Compared with normal diesel or gas-powered engines, fuel cells produce significantly less carbon dioxide and no emissions at all of particulates and nitrogen oxides. In addition, they are more efficient, smaller and lighter.

(Source) Press

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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

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Tires play an important role in helping vehicles in their fuel efficiency issues and apparently Michelin has an answer to that. This is of course with reference to their latest line of tires, the Michelin Energy Saver A/S tire. These tires are designed for exceptional levels of fuel-efficiency, while delivering an environmentally-friendly performance package that is unprecedented in the industry.

Michelin Energy Saver Construction technology keeps the tire cooler, helping the engine to improve its fuel-efficiency. It is up to 8 percent more fuel-efficient than other tires in its class and can reduce a vehicle’s CO2 emissions by as much as 2,000 pounds of CO2.

The Michelin Energy Saver A/S tire is now available in four sizes that include popular mainstream and hybrid vehicles. The sizes are: P215/60R16; P195/65R15; P195/60R15 and P185/65R15.

So if your car is due for a tire change, check out these new ones from Michelin, the reliable and familiar name in tires for better performing cars.

(Source) Press

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Safety and conservation are two of the main agendas that Michelin Tires aims to focus on as it reminds motorists the importance of well-maintained tires in these hard times. Tires play an important role in the overall performance of vehicles and this includes that of fuel consumption. While many go for style, this is not the time for it especially if you are aching to resolve your car tire maintenance issues.

The MICHELIN Energy Saver A/S tire, on-sale this week, is a concrete example of a tire that offers exceptional levels of fuel-efficiency, without sacrificing other key performances and gives consumers an ideal balance. It is one of the first all-season tires in the industry to combine low levels of rolling resistance with superior levels of wet braking and all-season performance.

The Energy Saver All-Season is now available in four sizes that include popular mainstream and hybrid vehicles. The sizes are: P215/60R16; P195/65R15; P195/60R15 and P185/65R15.

(Source) Press

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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

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The City of Toronto is going green with reports that they have purchased five Balance Hybrid Electric Trucks from Azure Dynamics Corporation. The five trucks will be put into service in three different city divisions including the Library; the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division; and Solid Waste Management Services.

“Azure Dynamics has a steadfast dedication to promoting sustainable living and driving a world of difference,” said Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics’ Chief Executive Officer. “By deploying five Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric trucks, the City of Toronto continues to support a collective effort to improve the green footprint throughout Canada where the citizens value and appreciate their incredible natural resources.”

The five trucks ordered by the City of Toronto will be used in some of the City’s busiest departments. One unit will be utilized by the Library where an inter-branch delivery system will operate six days a week making approximately 10 stops a day. The Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division will use one vehicle for the delivery of sports equipment and recreational materials to community centers throughout Toronto and another vehicle for the delivery of live plants for special events held in Toronto at various public functions.

Finally, two units will be used by Solid Waste Management Services for residential curb side pickup of ‘white goods’ which include refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, etc. to be taken to a dedicated recycling facility.

(Source) Press

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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

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The PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) will be tested in public in the coming weeks, a demo that will certainly draw a lot of interested bystanders curious about the concept of plug-in hybrid electric cars. The demonstration will take place in Corbin, Kentucky, where the vehicle will be test driven and evaluated by industry representatives. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be driven on a simulated city driving test route. The company expects to demonstrate that during an eight hour delivery day simulation this plug-in hybrid vehicle can exceed 150 miles while exhibiting an efficiency of over 75 mpg (miles per gallon).

Earlier this month, Green Star Products along with its International Consortium partner Global Green Cars had publicly tested its full electric vehicle version at tracks in Utah and Kentucky. Global Green Cars is a U.S. and International Consortium of automobile companies and associated supply companies which includes Green Star Products as an engineering and technology provider.

President Barack Obama’s New Energy For America program calls for deployment of 1 million plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2015, and on March 19, 2009, he announced programs directing $2.4 billion to electric vehicle development.

(Source) Press

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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

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Despite rising gas prices and the availability of electric and hybrid vehicles, car owners are sticking out with their cars today. Only 1 in 10 Americans would be willing today to pay more for an environmentally friendly vehicle, notes Alexander Edwards, president of automotive research for Strategic Vision, Inc. Strategic Vision is a company of clinical psychologists and business professionals with more than 30 years of experience studying how and why consumers make buying decisions and the factors that drive owner satisfaction and loyalty.

Edwards is a featured panelist on a forum entitled “Does Green Matter in a Try-to-Survive Market?” to be held at 9 a.m. EDT, on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, as part of the ATX-Consulting4Drive Executive Business Theater. The event is in conjunction with the three-day annual Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress at Cobo Center.

Edwards will detail how American consumers continue to have a long list of priorities for their next vehicle purchase that rank higher than having a fuel efficient vehicle.

According to Strategic Vision research, out of 124 attributes cited by consumers for their next vehicle purchase, overall environmental friendliness of the vehicle ranked 53rd, emissions controls ranked 87th, fuel economy/good mileage ranked 120th and fuel efficiency ranked last at 124th.

Despite the low rankings for fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness on consumers’ list of importance, Edwards asserts there remains opportunity for automobile OEMs to market green vehicles.

(Source) Press

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U.S. President Barack Obama announced today that he will be ordering 2,500 hybrid vehicles for the U.S. General Service Administration made up of hybrid vehicles from GM, Ford and Chrysler by June 1. The purchase goal is fuel economy that’s 10 percent higher than the vehicle being replaced.

While auto sales have fallen 36 percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared to last year, the government’s purchase is still only symbolic, representing less than two-tenths of one percent of total US annual sales. But lawmakers from auto-industry states like Michigan and Ohio reacted with fervent support.

The first step will be an order for 2,500 hybrid sedans by April 15. Qualifying cars include the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, and the 2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid. The Ford Fusion Hybrid received excellent reviews and generated intense public interest, but the incremental mileage improvements of the Malibu and Aura mild hybrids have neither sparked much enthusiasm nor sold particularly well.

The total cost of $285 million would come from the $787 billion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress last month. A statement from the White House said the entire purchase will “reduce gasoline consumption by 1.3 million gallons per year and prevent 26 million pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.”

(Source) Hybridcars

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The thing with some car accessories and parts is that they are sometimes limited to certain vehicle classes. And for SOMS Technologies, a provider of engine oil filtration products, expanding its car niche for compatibility with their eco-friendly oil filters is certainly a great piece of news for people who want to use their product.

Major European and Asian automotive brands, including Audi, Honda, Infinity, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Range Rover, Toyota and Volkswagen have now been included in their list of compatible cars that can make use of their eco-friendly filters. This latest expansion is in response to increased demand from fleets and individual drivers looking to reduce their carbon footprint while also saving money.

By extending the filter’s availability, now an even greater range of businesses and consumers can use the microGreen filter to increase environmental efficiency of their current vehicles or boost the efficiency of new hybrid vehicles.

The patented microGreen oil filter has two filters in one standard spin-on canister, which ensures that the oil stays cleaner, far longer – improving the life of the engine and allowing drivers to better maintain their vehicles. While traditional oil filters capture the larger particles in engine oil between 25 to 40 microns, microGreen’s patented microfilter system captures particles down to two microns in size.

This allows vehicles to operate up to 30,000 miles without an oil change, reducing motor oil use by 70 percent, filter use by 50 percent and cutting oil maintenance costs by 65 percent. As a result, businesses and consumers can ‘green’ their vehicles and see an immediate return-on-investment, unlike other eco-friendly alternatives.

(Source) Press

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