Category Archives: alternative fuels

Toyota Camry Hybrid Prices Cut $850 to $1,150 for 2012

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The revised hybrid-electric powertrain, like other 2012 Camry models has a newly-developed 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Toyota says that improved electric motor-voltage control, optimized regenerative braking, and reduce parasitic losses in the transaxle are key to the ratings. Reduced vehicle weight and improved aerodynamics are also factors in the class-leading fuel economy ratings. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, marketing, new vehicle, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Volt Qualifies for California HOV Lanes in 2012

Posted on 18 November 2011 by Ken Zino

This is nothing more than a subsidy for the wealthy, according to critics, since it allows single occupant vehicles access to more than 1,400 miles of California HOV lanes. The subsidy is crucial to the sales of the Nissan Leaf, Honda Civic Natural Gas, Smart ForTwo, and Tesla roadster, and upcoming plug-in hybrids from Ford and Chrysler, among others. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DOE and EPA Release 2012 Annual Fuel Economy Guide

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Bugatti Veyron at combined, city and highway ratings of 10/8/15 is the least fuel efficient vehicle in the new guide. The Nissan Leaf EV at 99/106/92 is the most fuel efficient vehicle, but that rating uses a conversion factor since the Leaf doesn’t run on gasoline, The Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid under this system is rated at 60/58/62. Real world driving of the Volt by AutoInformed returned about 35 miles to a gallon overall, once you got past its 30-40 mile EV range. The Toyota Prius hybrid is rated at 50/51/48 since the plug-in version won’t be available until next spring. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, energy, fuel economy or emissions, news, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Renault Dedicates Enlarged Electric Vehicle Test Center

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Since missing the hybrid segment completely that Toyota went on to dominate globally, reaping billions upon billions of dollars worth of “Green” image benefits in the process, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both Renault and Nissan, has “bet the farm” by investing almost $5 billion in electric vehicles. Thus far, the Nissan Leaf, with roughly 8,000 sales year-to-date, has not met expectations in the U.S. Nissan, optimistically, wants 20% of its sales to be EVs by 2020. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, new vehicle, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Volt Fire After Crash Prompts NHTSA Investigation

Posted on 11 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Lithium battery safety in a plug-in hybrid, such as the Chevrolet Volt, or pure electric automobile, such as the Nissan Leaf, is based on a complex series of factors involving not only the battery design, but where it is placed in the vehicle; its discharge and recharge rates; cooling; as well as the software that governs the whole system, including failure modes that when detected disable the battery. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, news, news analysis, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sumitomo to Make 30 Minute Quick Charger for Nissan Leaf

Posted on 10 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Nissan previously announced a joint promotion of a DC Quick charger with Sumitomo. The newly developed DC quick charging unit retains the high performance of current quick chargers but is nearly half the size – making for an easier installation. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda to Show AC-X Plug in Hybrid at Tokyo Motor Show

Posted on 10 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Number Three Japanese automaker – and perennial second place hybrid sales leader behind the clear leader Toyota – says the next-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle offers a more comfortable time in the vehicle during all driving situations, from urban to long-distance driving. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, concept, electric vehicles, environment, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Biofuels Now in Commercial Use at United and Alaska Airlines

Posted on 8 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The use of aviation biofuels looks promising since it was pushed forward by the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) established by the Federal Aviation Administration, which has been working to find sustainable fuels for airlines since 2006. As always the issues remain cost, and potential negative effects on global food supply. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, aviation, economy, environment, milestones, news, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda EV Demonstration Testing Begins in Guangzhou, China

Posted on 8 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Guangqi Honda Automobile Company, the government required joint-venture between Honda Motor and Guangzhou Automobile wants to begin local production of EVs in China before the end of 2012. Before then, Honda is importing hybrids and EVs from Japan. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA to Study Hydraulic Fracturing Effects on Drinking Water

Posted on 7 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its final research plan on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial technique used to extract natural gas that critics maintain has a huge negative impact on the environment with costs passed on to the public by energy companies. Proponents of natural gas maintain that it is a cleaner fuel than oil, and the Federal government is subsidizing vehicles that use it. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Taking Orders for 2012 Focus Electric at $39,995

Posted on 3 November 2011 by Ken Zino

No lease is available, so a typical payment to buy – with $4,000 down for 48 months – is almost $800 per month at Ford’s 7% interest rate. The gasoline Focus starts at just over $17,000. This means that the sales volume of the EV will likely be limited to a few enthusiasts. And Focus Electric also faces tough competition from the Nissan Leaf, which can be leased for about $400 a month. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, marketing, new vehicle, news, news analysis, prices, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California Institutes $15,000 EV Subsidy from Taxpayers

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

This light commercial EV subsidy is part of a larger program – or folly, according to critics – which will it’s hoped speed the adaptation of commercial electric vehicles. Heretofore, fleet operators who keep stringent track of costs have not been willing to invest in EVs because of their absurdly high costs and limited range – in the EV Transit’s case, ~$50,000 and 50 miles. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, prices, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Tells Pennsylvania to Improve Air Quality in New Jersey

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The EPA ruling potentially has broad implications for the future of electric vehicles in the U.S. since half of the electricity produced comes from burning coal – a notorious source of SO2. The two Portland generating units covered under this rule are large sources of SO2 emissions in the region since they are about 50 years old.

This is a national problem. Currently 44% of coal-fired units in the country do not have advanced pollution controls, such as scrubbers or catalysts, installed to limit emissions. Utilities and coal companies are and have been vigorously fighting efforts to solve the problem. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

2012 Honda Insight Hybrid Ups Fuel Economy at Under $20,000

Posted on 18 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda’s latest attempt to catch Toyota Prius, the undisputed hybrid sales leader, results in an updated 2012 Insight hybrid with revised exterior and interior styling, as well as an improved EPA fuel economy rating of 1 mpg. The new Insight’s city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating of 41/44/42 mpg, is up from 40/43/41 on the outgoing Insight hybrid model.

More significant is the price as Insights are just now arriving in dealerships. Honda continues to offer the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting under $20,000, which is really $19,120 for the base Insight delivered, plus state and local taxes. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, prices, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet and Nissan Succeed with Plug-in Hybrids and EVs as the Business of Plugging In Shows First Product Results

Posted on 17 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Success is the verdict about one year after the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and Nissan Leaf EV (electric vehicle) both went on sale, it was revealed last week at the third annual Business of Plugging In Conference in Michigan. And with Cadillac, Ford, Toyota about to introduce the their own plug-in hybrids, and a pure EV version of the tiny Chevrolet Spark coming in 2013, the small niche of electric cars has the chance to grow some more. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, concept, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, energy, environment, new vehicle, news analysis, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment