Category Archives: alternative fuels

BYD Electric Cab Fire and Three Fatalities not Battery’s Fault

Posted on 7 August 2012 by Ken Zino

An investigation by the Shenzhen government into an accident and fire between a BYD EV and a Nissan sports car that killed three people in May concludes that the battery pack was not at fault, according to a BYD filing with the Shenzhen stock exchange.

A Nissan GT-R traveling at 242km/h – 150 mph – hit a BYD e6 taxi traveling in the same direction at 81km/h. The first impact sent the cab careening out of control, which then resulted in a second impact into a roadside tree, whereupon the e6 completely burned. The cab driver and two passengers perished. Continue reading →

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First 118 MPGe Honda Fit EV Delivered in California

Posted on 23 July 2012 by Ken Zino

American Honda initially will lease Fit in some California and Oregon markets. Some East Coast locations will be added next year. The EV is lease-only with a price of $389 per month for three-years, which computes to a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $36,625. Collision coverage, maintenance costs and roadside assistance service included in lease. Gasoline versions of the Fit sell in the $16,200 to $21,000 range. Continue reading →

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Taxpayer Subsidized Solazyme Starts Renewable Biofuel Refinery

Posted on 11 July 2012 by Ken Zino

Biofuels have the potential to decrease imports of oil, but cost, currently as much as five times conventional oil, and feedstocks that could hurt the global food supply, remain problematic. Continue reading →

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Fisker and Leonardo DiCaprio to Work on ‘Sustainability’

Posted on 3 July 2012 by Ken Zino

Fisker Automotive and Leonardo DiCaprio today announced that they will work together to promote environmental causes. DiCaprio – an investor in Fisker – will “participate in conversations on the auto manufacturer’s future plans for the advancement of sustainable, responsible vehicles.” Continue reading →

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Louis Dreyfus Energy Pays $4 Million for ‘Stealing’ Natural Gas

Posted on 3 July 2012 by Ken Zino

Louis Dreyfus Energy Services has paid the United States $4,084,000 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to pay money owed on natural gas acquired from the Department of the Interior, which is to say U.S. taxpayers. Continue reading →

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Edeniq Pilot Plant in California Now Making Cellulosic Ethanol

Posted on 26 June 2012 by Ken Zino

The new plant was constructed in partnership with Logos Technologies Inc. under a $25 million program funded 80% by the Integrated Biorefinery Initiative Program of the U.S. Department of Energy. Whether this is a good investment by taxpayers that might help recover some of the billions of dollars spent on subsidized corn ethanol or just more subsidies for agribusiness are open issues. Continue reading →

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First Drive – 2013 Lexus ES 350 and ES 300h Hybrid Sedans

Posted on 25 June 2012 by Ken Zino

A day of test-driving both of the front-drive mid-size cars shows that once again, these are well-equipped, quiet luxury models. However, Lexus engineers have abandoned the plush ride that made its name, for a distinctly German chassis setup that verges on the harsh and intrusive. Lexus executives claim that this is what customers want, which could come as news to the one million ES owners. This theory will be tested after the cars are priced – and the strong Yen will be a factor here – and final EPA numbers are attached to their window stickers. Continue reading →

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Tesla Motors Delivers First Model S EVs at $100,000

Posted on 25 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Tesla Motors delivered its first electric Model S sedan over the weekend at its factory in Fremont, California. The financially challenged company – it has never earned a profit – says it will build 5,000 electric vehicles by the end of 2012, followed by 20,000 cars in 2013. Tesla claims it has already received more than 10,000 reservations worldwide for Model S. Continue reading →

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Germany to Add 35 New Hydrogen Fueling Stations

Posted on 20 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Automakers are currently lobbying in the U.S. for tax breaks and other taxpayer incentives for fuel cell cars to bring down their astronomical – as in $pace technology – costs. Hyundai thinks it can develop a fuel cell business if it can get the costs down to ~$50,000 a vehicle. Continue reading →

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GKN Purchase of Getrag Complete – $3.9 B Business Results

Posted on 20 June 2012 by Ken Zino

GKN has produced 250,000 drive systems for electric vehicles, but the current forecast for the EV business shows it growing much slower than early boosters such as President Obama hoped. Obama predicted there would be a million EVs on the roads by 2015, something that clearly is impossible. Sales of the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt totaled 10,000 ytd. The Fiat 500 EV produced in Mexico will be GKN’s first eDrive application in the Americas starting late this year. Total program volume is planned at 5,478 Fiat EVs. Continue reading →

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Mazda to Supply Diesel Engines for 2013 Le Mans 24 Hour

Posted on 16 June 2012 by Ken Zino

As the 24-hour endurance race at Le Mans got underway today, Mazda Motorsports announced that it would sell racing versions of its new diesel engines to teams competing at Le Mans. Continue reading →

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New Smart ForTwo EV now in Production in France

Posted on 12 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Daimler AG started production today of the new Smart ForTwo electric vehicle built at the Smart Hambach, France plant. An investment of €200 million was required to integrate the tiny EV into the production processes of the plant, which also builds gasoline versions. Continue reading →

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Taxpayer Funded A123 Systems Claims Breakthrough Battery

Posted on 12 June 2012 by Ken Zino

A123 Systems (Nasdaq: AONE), a developer and manufacturer of nanophosphate lithium iron phosphate batteries and systems, today introduced Nanophosphate EXT, a new lithium ion battery technology that it claims is capable of operating at extreme temperatures without requiring thermal management. The struggling company said this morning that the new battery chemistry will significantly “reduce or eliminate the need for heating or cooling systems.” Continue reading →

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Nissan Creates Zero Emission Fund to Sell CO2 Credits

Posted on 11 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor Company in Japan today announced the launch of the Nissan Zero Emission Fund for individual Nissan electric vehicle (EV) owners in Japan that converts the amount of CO2 emissions that are offset by driving the electric Nissan Leaf to generate credits. Continue reading →

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Electric Vehicle Charging and Battery Expo This November

Posted on 11 June 2012 by Ken Zino

What’s said to be the world’s first-ever Charging Infrastructure Expo will be held 13-15 November at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich., alongside The Battery Show. The forum is for industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in the charging infrastructure industry, as well proving a showcase for the latest battery technologies and electric vehicle charging technologies. Continue reading →

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