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Category Archives: energy
PEVE to Become Toyota Battery Company
Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) in Japan confirmed today that Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor. The subsidiary will use the technology advanced through Toyota’s hybrid vehicle battery business to date. and presumably improve on it. The transaction is scheduled to be approved at PEVE’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in late June 2024. It’s the latest in a series of moves by Toyota to become a dominant EV company.
“The new company name embodies our determination to leverage the technology and skills honed since PEVE’s establishment in 1996 to contribute to the competitiveness of Japanese batteries and become a company that provides high-quality and highly safe on-board batteries. In addition to batteries for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), we plan to produce batteries for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). Through our efforts in the production of diverse and next-generation on-board batteries, we hope to create new value and be useful to society,” PEVE said. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, energy, environment, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bevs, ev batteries, hevs, Ken Zino, Masamichi Okada, PEVE, PHEVs, Primearth EV Energy Co., Toyota Motor Corporation
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EPA Finalizes Vehicle Pollution Standards for 2027-32
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. The standards will have significant effects on the types of vehicles available, how much they cost to buy, own and operate, as well as the economy and public health in a politically dysfunctional country. Let the lawsuits commence, particularly from anti-environmentalists, the Republican party, and fossil fuel funded groups.
“With transportation as the largest source of U.S. climate emissions, these strongest-ever pollution standards for cars solidify America’s leadership in building a clean transportation future and creating good-paying American jobs, all while advancing President Biden’s historic climate agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The standards will slash over 7 billion tons of climate pollution, improve air quality in overburdened communities, and give drivers more clean vehicle choices while saving them money. Under President Biden’s leadership, this Administration is pairing strong standards with historic investments to revitalize domestic manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains and create good-paying jobs.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, cafe, epa, greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas standards, Inflation Reduction Act, John Bozzella, Ken Zino, uaw
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Petroleum Equivalency Factor Change Slows EV Adoption
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant rules for light-duty vehicles covering model years 2027-2032 is about to be to be announced. It’s part of a tangled maze of regulations from multiple federal and state agencies affecting automakers and ultimately consumers in the US, often referred in shorthand as CAFE – corporate average fuel economy.
In the latest development, The Department of Energy last year proposed decreasing the so-called “petroleum-equivalent fuel economy factor” (PEF) for EVs by 72% in 2027. The Petroleum Equivalency Factor expresses electric vehicle efficiency as equivalent-miles-per-gallon of gasoline for purposes of the EPA’s calculation of manufacturers’ compliance with NHTSA’s CAFE regulations. DOE is responsible for establishing the value of the PEF. With a final rule, issued yesterday, the PEF will be established for model years beginning in 2027. It slows forcing EV adaption, and in AutoInformed’s view this is a good thing. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, AutoInformed Editorial, blog, economy, electric vehicles, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric vehicles, cafe, CAFE civil penalties, Corporate Average Fuel Economy, department of energy, epa, John Bozzella, Ken Zino, petroleum-equivalent fuel economy factor
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Energy Independence – Clean Energy Connector Plugged In
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced an enlightened program that connects families to solar energy through HHS’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).* The so-called Clean Energy Connector,** is a tool that connects families to solar energy through HHS’s LIHEAP. The first-of-its-kind software can now be used by local LIHEAP program administrators in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and New Mexico to connect community solar subscriptions to as many as 40,000 households with low incomes.
“Renewable energy is by far the cheapest form of power and now, thanks to innovative solutions developed under the Biden-Harris Administration, more households across America can access the health and savings benefits that solar power provides,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE’s partnership with HHS will increase the deployment of community solar, helping thousands of families lower their energy bills and in turn reduce their energy burden, ensuring Americans across the nation are included as we transition to a clean energy economy,” Granholm claimed. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, economy, energy, environment, global warming, news, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration, community solar energy, energy independence, Jennifer M. Granholm, Ken Zino, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, renewable energy, solar power, Solar United Neighbors, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra
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Tesla Recalls 2.2 Million Vehicles Covering 13 Model Years
Tesla is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems” and 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.”
A visual warning indicator whose letter font size is smaller than 3.2 mm (1/8 inch), as prescribed in FMVSS Nos. 105 (105 – Hydraulic and electric brake systems) and 135 (135 – Light vehicle brake systems), could reduce the driver’s detection of it when illuminated, increasing the risk of a collision. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, energy, mobility company, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brake Park and Antilock brake system recall, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V051, Tesla Recalls
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Hyundai Motor, Kia, Gore to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell PEMs
“We are entering the next chapter of our partnership with Gore,” said Chang Hwan Kim, Head of Battery Development and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation. “By leveraging the 15 years of collaboration, we will acquire advanced fuel cell technology and lead the fuel cell electric vehicle market, accelerating the movement towards a sustainable future.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chang Hwan Kim, Hyundai Motor and Kia Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems, Ken Zino, PEM, polymer electrolyte membrane
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US Fuel Economy at Record Highs. CO2 at Record Low
“As the United States accelerates towards a clean transportation future, today’s report highlights the historic progress made so far by the industry to reduce climate pollution and other harmful emissions,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We are thrilled to see manufacturers continue to innovate and develop technologies in multiple vehicle categories that have led to a substantial increase in miles per gallon, passing cost savings onto families across the nation.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health
Tagged 2022 EPA Automotive Trends Report, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, co2, greenhouse gases, Ken Zino, Michael S. Regan, US Environmental Protection Agency
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Significant 2023 Automotive Stories and Trends
Our aspirations of becoming a more useful part of our society comprised of “We the People” is under daily news-cycle assault with an insurrection of can’t do characters and their apologists and power-hungry enablers who are our enemies within. They are the greatest threat to our upwardly mobile, inclusive democratic society. These illiterate book banners and burners are threatening our genuine American optimism and can-do past that still propels the best of us to keep moving forward with or without drums and fifes. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, people, public health, transportation
Tagged 1776, American optimism and can-do spirit, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Declaration of Independence, Ken Zino, significant automotive stores and trends of 2023, the American dream, The US Constitution
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GM and Komatsu Deal on Fuel-Cell Powered Mining Truck
The companies will jointly design and validate the technology. Lightweight with fast refueling, hydrogen fuel cells are best for electrifying applications traditionally powered by diesel engines. Hydrogen provides an effective method to package large quantities of energy onboard the vehicle, without compromising payload carrying capacity, the companies said. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Charlie Freese, Dan Funcannon, Death of the diesel, hydrogen fuel cells, HYDROTEC-powered mining vehicle, Ken Zino, Komatsu Arizona Proving Grounds, TSE:6301
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Michigan State Fleet – All to be Zero-Emission Vehicles
“Michigan automakers are on the cutting-edge of the world’s switch to zero emission vehicles, and with today’s executive directive to transition our state-owned fleet by 2040, the State of Michigan is leading by example,” said Governor Whitmer. “Getting this done will help drive demand of Michigan-made electric vehicles, lower gas and maintenance costs for the state since ZEVs cost far less to fuel and maintain and reduce air and noise pollution in our communities.” Continue reading
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, people, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Governor Gretchen Whitmer UAW, Ken Zino, noise and air pollution, Shawn fain, Zero-emission vehicles
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EV Grid Unlock – BMW, Ford, Honda Create ChargeScape
BMW Group, Ford Motor Company and American Honda Motor Company today announced that they have entered into an agreement to create ChargeScape, LLC, a new equally owned company that will create a single, platform connecting electric utilities, automakers and interested … Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, energy, environment, global warming, milestones, mobility company, public health
Tagged American Honda Motor Company, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Bill Crider, BMW of North America, ChargeScape, Ford Motor Company, Jay Joseph, Ken Zino, Thomas Ruemenapp
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Strange Green Bedfellows – Stellantis and Aramco
Low carbon eFuel is a drop-in synthetic fuel made by reacting CO2, captured either directly from the atmosphere or from an industrial facility, with renewable hydrogen. The use of low carbon eFuel has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing internal combustion vehicles by at least 70% on a lifecycle basis, compared to conventional fuels its advocates claim. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, co2 emissions, ENOWA, Ken Zino, Low-carbon eFuel, Neom Energy and Water, NYSE: STLA, Repsol, Saudi Arabian Oil Group, Stellantis
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Vehicle-to-Home Bidirectional Charging Coming on All GM EVs
General Motors (NYSE:GM) said today that it will expand vehicle-to-home (V2H) bidirectional charging technology across its retail portfolio of Ultium-based electric vehicles by model year 2026. The first vehicles to receive the technology include the previously announced 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, followed by the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ and the upcoming Cadillac ESCALADE IQ.
Information on additional availability of V2H technology and specific timing of V2H rollout to individual vehicle models will be provided in future updates. Just bring money. The question is how much? Continue reading
Stellantis Completes Symbio Hydrogen Purchase
“The addition of Stellantis as a shareholder will boost Symbio’s development across Europe and in the US,” Stellantis said. Acquiring an equal stake in Symbio supports Stellantis fuel cell van production in France, and supplements the company’s growing battery electric vehicle portfolio. Continue reading

Suniva, Heliene to Make First U.S. Domestic Content Solar Cells
“With this strategic partnership Heliene and Suniva are well-positioned to rapidly scale domestic cell and module manufacturing to meet the surging demand for secure and reliable domestically made crystalline PV modules. Currently, all U.S.-made solar crystalline modules use only imported cells. This partnership will directly address that gap in the U.S. solar supply chain and help strengthen manufacturing capacity to meet increased demand for domestic products,” the companies said in a joint released timed to coincide with a visit by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at Suniva yesterday. Continue reading →