Category Archives: energy

GE and Nissan to Work on EV Charging Infrastructure

Posted on 30 September 2011 by Ken Zino

In the U.S. several problems are inhibiting widespread adoption of EVs: the high cost of the EV itself even with lavish taxpayer subsidies, which are unsustainable given current deficits; the generation of 50% of electricity in the U.S. by carbon monoxide producing coal, the dirtiest of carbon based fossil fuels; and the lack of a national grid to move power around during peak demand periods. Continue reading →

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

Great Recession Cuts Congestion as Economy and Traffic Stall

Posted on 28 September 2011 by Ken Zino

The growing traffic congestion problem is the direct result of politicians refusing to address the underlying problem of a bankrupt Highway Trust fund. Federal gasoline taxes that support the highway system, – 18.4 cents per gallon – have not been increased since 1993 as the population expands and road use and repair costs go up. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, energy, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Business of Plugging In Adds EV Experts to Panels

Posted on 27 September 2011 by Ken Zino

The Center for Automotive Research is holding a timely conference – The Business of Plugging In, an electric vehicle conference – this October that will discuss the emerging plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) against a background of contentious budget debates in Washington about subsidies for automakers, global warming, emission regulations, and tax policies. Continue reading →

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

New Porsche Paint Shop for New 911s at Zuffenhausen

Posted on 23 September 2011 by Ken Zino

The opening of the new paint shop this week in Zuffenhausen coincides with the start of production of the new Porsche 911, arguably the most famous sports car in the world since its 1964 début. The revised 911 bodies are painted inside and out in a dust free environment at the enclosed plant, which is located in a densely populated urban area of Stuttgart. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

European Automakers to Standardize EV Charging by 2017

Posted on 22 September 2011 by Ken Zino

At the moment and for the foreseeable future, the small numbers of owners of EVs in Europe face conflicting recharging methods. If the automakers have their way, the European Commission will endorse the concept and force it on all involved. Continue reading →

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

EPA Grants Emergency Fuel Waiver for Flooded Pennsylvania

Posted on 12 September 2011 by Ken Zino

In a statement just issued, EPA said that in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE), and at the request of Republican Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett (who receives funding from oil and natural gas companies), EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said that extreme and unusual supply circumstances exist. These problems are likely in EPA’s view to result in a shortage of gasoline that meets federal regulations. The federal waiver will help provide adequate supply of gasoline in the affected area until normal supply to the region can be restored. Continue reading →

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

Amerigon Gets Taxpayer Funds for Thermo Energy Recovery

Posted on 19 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Amerigon will share the $8 million grant with project partners including Ford, BMW of North America, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)/California Institute of Technology, and Faurecia Emissions Controls Technologies. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, energy, engineering, environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daimler and Honda Lead in Car Fuel Cell Development, Maybe

Posted on 15 August 2011 by Ken Zino

According to a new Pike Research report, the two light-duty FCV manufacturers who are best positioned in this formative stage of the market are Daimler and Honda. However, Daimler has made ambitious announcements on fuel cell technology readiness in the past, and these – well, did not pass the reality test. Daimler recently moved up its FCV target date to 2014 from 2015. We will see if anything comes from this except an expensive taxpayer subsidized demonstration program. Continue reading →

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

Ovonic Battery Company Extends NiMH License with GS Yuasa

Posted on 15 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Last month Energy Conversion Devices announced that it is trying to sell its Ovonic Battery subsidiary. OBC’s principal activities are licensing its battery technologies (including nickel-metal-hydride – NiMH – once used on the ill-fated GM EV1), participating in joint development programs to support battery applications, and manufacturing mixed-metal hydroxide cathode materials for sale to its licensees for use in battery production. OBC invented the NiMH rechargeable battery technology that is used globally in most hybrid-electric vehicles, and in many consumer and commercial rechargeable batteries. However, Lithium Ion technology is now preferred by virtually all automakers in new development programs. It is also heavily subsidized by taxpayers through various government grants. Continue reading →

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

$10,000 Solar Panel Option Coming for Focus Electric Vehicle. Ford is using the new “Green Math” to Calculate Benefits

Posted on 10 August 2011 by Ken Zino

So if you have enough sunshine to generate the 3,000 kWh, that means you save $330 annually for a pay back period of, um, 30 years and four months (using basic arithmetic, not green math). The panels are guaranteed for 25 years by the way. Continue reading →

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

High Fuel Prices Having Little Impact on Vehicle Choice?

Posted on 9 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Rising fuel prices are having little effect on the type of vehicles U.S. buyers are considering. This latest research conundrum comes from consultancy AutoPacific, which claims that while drivers are complaining about fuel costs, the choice of a future vehicle appears decoupled from them. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, energy, marketing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

President Obama to Announce First Fuel Economy Regulations for Heavy Trucks, Buses. $50 Billion in Fuel Savings Claimed

Posted on 9 August 2011 by Ken Zino

The complicated standards vary by size and type of truck, and whether gasoline or diesel engines are used. However they appear stringent, calling for a 7-20% reduction in emissions with roughly corresponding increases in fuel economy. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

President Obama Unveils 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Regulation for 2017-25. Will it Alter Vehicle Choices and Increase Costs?

Posted on 29 July 2011 by Ken Zino

In a thirteen minute speech in Washington this morning, President Obama revealed his proposal for doubling the fuel economy of vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2025. This proposal, which will apply to cars and light trucks sold during model years 2017 to 2025, establishes a global warming pollution standard of 163 grams of CO2 per mile per new vehicle by 2025—the equivalent of 54.5 mpg if all the improvements are met through actual increases in fuel-efficiency. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Volvo Shows Electric Vehicle Range Extender – a Gas Engine!

Posted on 14 July 2011 by Ken Zino

If engineers keep this up, they could arrive at a lightweight, front-drive gasoline (or diesel powered) car that would be much less expensive by eliminating the electric motor, power controls, recharging gear, battery cooling, battery back and sundry other EV components. However, it wouldn’t qualify for taxpayer subsidies or meet increasingly stringent government standards for reducing CO2 emissions, which correlate with increased fuel economy. Continue reading →

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

The Business of Plugging In Conference Returns in October

Posted on 13 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The Center for Automotive Research announced today that The Business of Plugging In, a plug-in electric vehicle conference, will take place this October 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, MI. The agenda for the conference – now in its third year – includes representatives from utilities, automotive manufacturers and suppliers, investors, regulators and researchers. Continue reading →

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