Category Archives: alternative fuels

LaFerrari, a 900 Horsepower V12 Hybrid Unveiled at Geneva

LaFerrari promises to be the most sophisticated GT car with the highest performance ever achieved by a Ferrari. The Fiat-owned company said the technical systems would be incorporated in the rest of the Ferrari range over time. For the moment, only 499 wealthy customers will be able to buy the €1 million car, Ferrari’s first hybrid.. Continue reading

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Clean Green Fuel Owner Guilty in $9 Million in Bio-Diesel Scam

A U.S. District Judge today sentenced Rodney R. Hailey, of Perry Hall, Maryland to nearly 12 years and six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for selling $9 million in renewable fuel credits that he falsely claimed were produced by his company, Clean Green Fuel, LLC. Hailey, age 34, was convicted in June of 2012 on eight counts of wire fraud, 32 counts of money laundering, and two counts of violating the Clean Air Act. He has been detained since the guilty verdict.

Hailey made more than $9.1 million from selling the false credits, and used the proceeds of the scheme to purchase luxury vehicles, including BMWs, a Mercedes Benz, a Rolls Royce Phantom, a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati and others, as well as real estate and more than $80,000 in diamond jewelry. In all of these transactions, Hailey generally used cash or checks drawn on accounts he controlled to make the purchase, including a check for $645,330.15 to buy his home in Maryland. Continue reading

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Lithium Ion Battery Sales Up as New Electric Vehicles Debut

The latest research shows that the lithium ion battery market had revenues of $2.13 billion in 2012. Moreover, there are projections that this could reach as much as reach $12.84 billion in 2019. The advanced battery market has significant government support in the form of rebates, which varies according to the country, state and city. Continue reading

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2013 – Make Money or Go Broke for Alternative Fuels Industry?

The legal and regulatory climate has turned against alternative fuels. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. recently said that EPA’s 2012 requirement for refiners to use cellulosic biofuel – or to purchase credits instead – was illegal since no cellulosic ethanol fuel was produced last year that the refiners could blend into gasoline. The decision came from a lawsuit brought by the American Petroleum Institute, which is actively fighting alternative fuels. The U.S. sends more than $1,000,000 a minute to oil exporting nations, many of whom are hostile to us. Continue reading

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Court of Appeals Throws Out EPA Cellulosic Mandate for Refiners

While the enabling legislation was noble at least in its publicly stated intent – the U.S. sends over $1,000,000 a minute to oil exporting nations, many of whom are hostile to us – it was in the end a sordid tale of special interests feeding at the public trough. Worse, the legislation dictated the types and amounts of fuel to be used to gain energy independence – in effect a dreaded and ineffective design standard – instead of a performance standard that sets broad goals and lets industry and the marketplace work out the issues. Continue reading

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Wind Turbines Headed for Honda Transmission Plant in Ohio

When the turbines begin operating later this year, the Honda plant will be the first major automotive manufacturing facility in the United States to obtain a significant amount of its electricity directly from wind turbines located on its property. Continue reading

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BMW and Toyota Sign Deal for Joint Fuel Cell and Battery Programs

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation today in Japan signed a contract for the joint development of a fuel cell system, a new architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and research in lightweight technologies. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Now Operating Largest Solar Power “Park” in Tennessee

Volkswagen today turned on the largest single solar installation at an automotive manufacturing facility in the United States and the biggest solar installation in the state of Tennessee. At a dedication in Chattanooga, a giant light switch was used to note the opening of the 9.5-megawatt solar system. All of the output will be used by VW to make cars. Continue reading

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Nissan Cuts Leaf EV Price by $6400 on U.S.-Assembled Model

Nissan announced that pricing for the 2013 Leaf electric vehicle starts at $28,800 for the newly-added S grade – think SALE – making it the lowest priced five-passenger electric vehicle sold in the United States. The least expensive 2012 Leaf had a starting price of $35,200 without taxpayer subsidies. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn’s 20,000-unit sales target for the Leaf in 2012 was missed by 50%, and fewer than 10,000 were also sold in 2011. He previously said electric vehicles would account for 10% or more of global auto sales by 2020, a prediction that is viewed as fantasy by other automaker CEOs. Continue reading

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European Bid for 48-Volt Cars Finally to be Noted in U.S. at NAIAS

Johnson Controls will show a 48-volt Micro Hybrid battery system using a traditional 12-volt lead-acid battery and a 48-volt Lithium-ion battery at NAIAS next week. As AutoInformed has reported, the technology is well underway in Europe with cars expected to be on the road this year. Continue reading

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Non-Spy Shot – Cadillac ELR Photographed in Southern California

General Motors has released this photograph of a Cadillac ELR hybrid electric vehicle, which will be revealed with nicer paint at the 2013 North American International Auto Show next week. Continue reading

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Nissan to Add 15 Hybrid Models by 2016

Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said today in Yokohama that the Japanese automaker plans to add 15 hybrid models by 2016. Long decried by Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, who is betting billions through the Renault Nissan Alliance to develop and sell electric vehicles after he dismissed Toyota’s early hybrid efforts, the Number Two Japanese maker is finally bowing to the reality that hybrids are a short-term solution to increasing fuel economy that buyers will consider. Continue reading

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EPA to Review Consumer Reports Data Claiming Ford C-Max and Fusion MPG Claims are Bogus in Real World Driving

The U.S. Environmental Protection agency will review Consumer Reports data claiming that Ford’s 47 mpg hybrid mileage claims were not realistic during real world – as opposed to computerized dynamometer – driving conditions. Continue reading

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Japanese, South Korean Automakers to offer Fuel Cell EVs by 2015

Japanese and South Korean automakers are optimistic about commercializing fuel cell electric vehicles by 2015, according to a new study. Mercedes-Benz is also known to be pursuing the advanced technology that in theory is emission free with demonstration units due in 2014. Continue reading

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Exhaust Gas Regen and 48-Volt Cars – Next Efficiency Breakthrough?

European automakers are rethinking the need for 12-volt cars. This move toward 48 volts, little noted in the U.S. media, has significant implications for a new generation of potentially cost-effective mild or semi-mild hybrid vehicles. A 48-volt standard could be a major factor for enabling the required motor-generator efficiency and power levels to make a practical hybrid at a lower cost. Continue reading

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