Category Archives: energy

EPA – US Fuel Economy Record High. CO2 Record Low

Posted on 26 November 2024 by Ken Zino

“This annual report indicates EPA’s commitment to provide the public with information about new light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions, fuel economy, technology data, and auto manufacturers’ performance in meeting the nation’s emissions standards. EPA’s annual Automotive Trends Report is separate from the agency’s regulatory process, which is far more complex and has been subject to political and judicial interference funded by special interest groups. – AutoCrat.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Huntsville Finishes 168-acre Solar Array

Posted on 19 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE: TM) and Toyota Tsusho America (TAI) and Huntsville Utilities have completed 168-acre solar project. The renewable energy produced will generate ~70 % of Toyota Alabama’s total energy. It is in keeping with the automaker’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality at all of its North American facilities by 2035. In total, the array will generate approximately 62,000 megawatt hours of energy annually, reducing an estimated 22,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.

“Toyota is committed to clean and sustainable power. We know that the collective future for our community and our team members depends on clean mobility, clean air, clean water, and biodiversity,” said Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama. “We are thankful for our partners on this project who have created a model of environmental stewardship in North Alabama.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis Embraces and Adapts HVO Diesel Fuel

Posted on 11 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA)* said today that its entire assortment of cars and light-duty commercial vehicles is fully compatible with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) diesel fuel. HVO diesel has the same performance as traditional diesel and is derived from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils or animal fats.

“The hydrogenation process used to produce HVO results in a cleaner, sulfur-free fuel with significantly reduced levels of aromatic compounds and pollutants, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly option,” Stellantis claimed.

Well, yes, but with caveats, AutoInformed observes. Some sustainable-fuel industries are still budding. McKinsey & Company research says that most sustainable fuels (other than clean hydrogen) are projected to see significant growth by 2030. By 2050, McKinsey expects demand for sustainable fuels to quadruple. Depending on net-zero objectives across countries, the share of demand for sustainable fuels could account for as much as 37% of all energy used in the transportation sector. [The respected McKinsey consultancy has many ongoing studies on Sustainability and Oil & Gas Practices. – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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Dodge Charger Daytona Cars to use Solid State Batteries

Posted on 23 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) and privately held Factorial Energy said today that their partnership to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) powered by Factorial’s solid-state battery technology* will begin with the launching of a demonstration fleet of all-new Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles based on the STLA Large platform incorporating solid-state batteries in 2026. Critics of solid state batteries maintain the thus far valid assertion that there is no clear path to mass production. Perhaps this will alter that perception at some pint in the future. But demonstration fleets are not mass production. Read AutoInformed.com on – Solid-State Cell Technology – All Hype No Production Way? Continue reading →

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BMW Group Plants Dingolfing, Regensburg Going Photovoltaic

Posted on 21 October 2024 by Ken Zino

BMW said today that Group Plants Dingolfing and Regensburg will obtain electricity generated from renewable energy directly from their own roofs. Dingolfing’s rooftop PV system, with a capacity of 11.1 MWp, will be one of the most powerful in Germany. To achieve this objective, the premium automotive manufacturer is renting roof space at its two plant sites in Eastern Bavaria to Sunrock Holding Deutschland GmbH, which will generate electricity using photovoltaics and make it available to the plants under direct supply contracts from 2025 onward.

“With this project, we are not only creating one of Germany’s biggest rooftop photovoltaic systems – we are also promoting the generation of renewable energy directly on site at BMW Group plant locations,” said Nicole Haft-Zboril, head of BMW Group Real Estate Management. Continue reading →

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DOE Backs Utility-Scale Power Storage In Puerto Rico

Posted on 15 October 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Loan Programs Office (LPO) today announced the closing of a $861.3 million loan guarantee to finance the construction of two solar photovoltaic (PV) farms equipped with battery storage and two standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Puerto Rico.

“The project is financed under Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Section 1706. Created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), EIR can finance projects that retool, repower, repurpose, or replace energy infrastructure that has ceased operations or enable operating energy infrastructure to avoid, reduce, utilize, or sequester air pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions,” LPO said. Continue reading →

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NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network Launches

Posted on 15 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan announced today an “enhancement “to the MyNISSAN app that claims to simplify EV ownership by consolidating vehicle management and public charging into one app. Users store a default payment method in the MyNISSAN app, then once at a compatible charging station, simply tap an on-screen button to start a charging session within the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. This new app will be available to MyNISSAN app users by November 2024.

“Owning and charging a Nissan EV will become simpler and more seamless with the launch of the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. The new network allows Nissan Ariya and future Nissan EV drivers to use their MyNISSAN app to find charging stations, see real-time charger availability and pay for charging – all in one streamlined experience,” Nissan said in a release. Continue reading →

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Off The Grid! – New GM Energy PowerBank

Posted on 10 October 2024 by Ken Zino

GM Energy said today that it is launching the so-called GM Energy PowerBank, a stationary storage product that allows EV owners the ability to store and transfer energy from the grid. It also has the option of integrating with solar power equipment. The General Motors* subsidiary has also expanded access to energy management products across all 50 states. It’s the latest step whereby EV customers can gain increasing independence from utility companies and the unreliable, climate change vulnerable power grid. It’s also the latest move that shows fossil-fueled stock analysts  – many of them reflexively negative on GM – are headed for extinction. Continue reading →

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Nissan Joins EV Grid Management Group ChargeScape

Posted on 7 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan said today that it has entered into an agreement to invest in ChargeScape, a joint venture equally owned by BMW, Ford and Honda* concentrated on electric vehicle-grid integration. Once the transaction is complete, Nissan will become an equal 25% … Continue reading →

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ChargeScape Vehicle-Grid Integration JV Begins Operations

Posted on 18 September 2024 by Ken Zino

BMW, Ford and Honda have begun operation of their new joint venture ChargeScape today ChargeScape also appointed the first CEO and CTO. (Read AutoInformed.com on EV Grid Unlock – BMW, Ford, Honda Create ChargeScape) As more Americans switch to EVs, cheaper fueling costs have become top-of-mind for drivers, particularly while charging at home where 80% of EV charging occurs according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates. The nation’s power grids have come under increasing strain due to electricity demand from data centers and the intermittent nature of current renewable technologies.

“ChargeScape is a software platform that integrates electric vehicles (EVs) into the power grid, shoring up grid stability while saving drivers money on their charging, the companies – all of them global giants – said in a joint release. “ChargeScape’s technology wirelessly connects to electric vehicles and, working with participating utilities, manages the flow of electrons in line with real-time grid conditions, temporarily reducing demand when the grid is constrained through smart charging (V1G) and even sending energy back into the power grid when needed (V2G). EV drivers have the potential to be rewarded financially for their flexibility and always have their vehicle charged by the time they specify,” ChargeScape claimed ex ante. Continue reading →

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Strange Clean Energy Bedfellows – GM and Hyundai

Posted on 12 September 2024 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380 KS) said today that they have signed an agreement to explore future collaboration across key strategic areas. The culturally different companies will look at joint product development, manufacturing and future clean energy technologies. They will also review prospects for combined sourcing in battery raw materials, steel and other areas. What this immediately calls into question is GM’s existing similar agreements with Honda Motor. Continue reading →

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Bosch Buys HVAC businesses from Johnson Controls, Hitachi

Posted on 24 July 2024 by Ken Zino

The businesses Bosch wants to buy had  sales revenue totaling ~€4 billion in 2023, employing ~12,000 people worldwide. The transaction includes 16 manufacturing sites and 12 engineering locations in more than 30 countries. The product portfolio covers vast HVAC products for residential and light commercial buildings. This includes brands such as York and Coleman in the U.S. and Hitachi in Asia, for which Bosch will be granted a long-term license. Continue reading →

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Honda CR-V Fuel Cell EV – $389 a Month!

Posted on 28 June 2024 by Ken Zino

Honda this week announced lease options for the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV, America’s first production plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. The zero-emissions compact CUV will be available in California starting 9 July, with three leasing options, at $389, $459, and $489 per month. This is a form of space age NASA advanced technology at Honda prices without the requisite trip to the moon, unless you have those views about California. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Eases CAFE Regs For 2027-2031 Model Years

Posted on 7 June 2024 by Ken Zino

“Not only will these new standards save Americans money at the pump every time they fill up, they will also decrease harmful pollution and make America less reliant on foreign oil,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “These standards will save car owners more than $600 in gasoline costs over the lifetime of their vehicle.” Continue reading →

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Biden Administration Chinese Trade War Tariffs Start August 1

Posted on 22 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“Today, I am following through on my commitment to stand up to the People’s Republic of China’s unfair trade practices by issuing a formal proposal to modify the tariff actions,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “The President has directed me to make substantial tariff increases on targeted, strategic products, and this is an important step to carry out that vision. The President and I will continue to fight for American workers, and for our economic future and national security.” Continue reading →

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