Category Archives: global warming

Electrifying – Fastest Corvette in History is a Hybrid

Not surprisingly, the E-Ray is the quickest production Corvette in history at 2.5-second 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time with a quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds, according to General Motors. The 2024 Corvette E-Ray goes on sale in late 2023 as a 2024 model, priced ranging from ~$103,000 to  $114,000 or more.* Production will be at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, global warming, performance | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Global Warming – GP ICE RACE 2023 Cancelled in Melting Alps

The GP ICE RACE 2023, planned for 27-29 January 2023, is cancelled due to the ongoing melting in the Austrian Alps. The organizers said today that they “reached this conclusion after consultations with partners and sponsors. Tickets already purchased will be fully refunded – there will be no replacement date.” Continue reading

Posted in global warming, racing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Automakers Rapidly Increasing EV Prices

AutoInformed thinks two factors are in play here: First demand for EVs is strong, particularly among affluent buyers. Second, EVs are more costly to develop and batteries are still expensive and the covid pandemic supply chain interruptions are making them scarce. One click bait headline had it that “EVs are Bringing Out the Worst in Us” because, among other things, a Hummer EV battery pack weighs as much as a Honda Civic. It consumes minerals that could otherwise be used to build several electric-sedan batteries or hundreds upon hundreds of e-bike batteries. Perhaps such thinkers are unaware of the ongoing mood amongst that tawdry cast of Capital characters along the banks of the Potomac who will not legislate SUVs and Pickup trucks out of existence. Yes, there is a Santos clause and his party wants to legislate the government out of business. Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, environment, global warming, people | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

EV Battery Gold Rush Down Under – Stellantis and Element 25

The deal with Element 25 – similar to ongoing EV battery supply chain moves at other automakers –  is key to Stellantis’ stated electrification strategy, which includes securing substantial supplies of raw materials for battery electric vehicle (BEV) production. Manganese is a stabilizing element in the cathode of EV batteries. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, global warming, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz to Open a Global EV Charging Network

General Motors is arguably well ahead of Mercedes in offering charging stations. Even though more public charging stations are in operation than ever, customer satisfaction with public Level 2 charging declined from last year, dropping to 633 (on a 1,000-point scale) from 643 in 2021, while satisfaction with the speedier DC (direct current) fast charger segment remains flat at 674, J.D. Power told AutoInformed last August. Continue reading

Posted in economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Significant 2022 Automotive Stories and Trends

With that in mind, here’s our latest takes on the 2022 annum of automobility, from autonomous and electric vehicles needed to foil planet-killing global warming, to driving caused deaths, to trade, tariffs, allies and, alas, the still ongoing threats from American fascism and racism that are opposing our collective growth. We undertake this with an awareness that AutoInformed conducts its education in public with our deficiencies apparent. We begin our annual taking stock with comments on significant automotive stories of 2022 as we look to endure another year of plagues – covid variants, political insurrections, social unrest and others to come. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, economy, environment, global warming, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

More Fuel Cell Vehicles from CJPT

Since it was founded in April 2021 by Toyota, Hino and Isuzu Motors, CJPT’s goal was “to enable technology development for commercial vehicles by considering initiatives at logistics sites to contribute to achieving a carbon neutral society and reduce the burden on drivers and workers by accelerating the use of autonomous vehicles and systems.” Continue reading

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

Stellantis to Buy a Large Part of Faurecia Michelin Hydrogen

Stellantis is tiptoeing into hydrogen mobility having launched mid-size vans in late 2021. Stellantis is pursuing an aggressive ambition as part of the so-called “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, which includes expanding its hydrogen offerings to large vans as early as 2024 in Europe and 2025 in the US while further exploring opportunities for heavy-duty trucks. Toyota Motor appears to AutoInformed to be the clear leader in these areas, but this is an endurance race not a sprint. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Final Heavy-Duty Truck Standards Released, Well, Finally

The new standards are long overdue. They are the first update to clean air standards for heavy duty trucks in more than 20 years. EPA says they are more than 80% stronger than current standards. Continue reading

Posted in economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz Outlines EV Drive Systems Production Sites

The new Mercedes-Benz powertrain production network was achieved following what were likely dicey discussions with German employee representatives. Mercedes says this resulted in agreements to further increase flexibility and efficiency at the various locations, paving the way for securing the future of the plants. In line with the implementation of the Mercedes-Benz Business Plan, the company is investing a mid-single-digit billion-euro amount in its European powertrain production locations. Thus far worker protest or strikes are apparently non-existent. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Automotive Trends – 2021 Fuel Economy at Record High. Emissions at Record Low.

Without question advancements in technology and government regulations are prodding industry to reach these carbon reduction achievements. In model year 2021, hybrid vehicles reached a new high of 9% of all production. These vehicles can use a larger battery to recapture braking energy and provide power when necessary, allowing for a smaller, more efficiently operated engine. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Biden Admin Making American Manufacturing Great Again

It is the latest fulfillment of the Biden Administration’s pledge to protecting American jobs, as well as the Constitution, in stark contrast to the last mis-administration. In Michigan, the Department of Energy also launched next steps in the Battery Workforce Initiative (BWI), a program geared toward supporting workforce training for good clean energy manufacturing jobs and the development of strategies to bring supply chains back home from overseas. Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM BrightDrop Expands to Canada with Ingersoll EV Plant

With taxpayer-financed support from both Canadian governments, GM has retooled the CAMI Assembly plant become the new global manufacturing home of BrightDrop’s fully electric delivery vans starting with the BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric delivery van. CAMI expects to produce 50,000 Zevo vans annually by 2025. Scaled production is expected to begin with Zevo 600 models in January 2023 and Zevo 400 models in late 2023. In the US, BrightDrop completed delivery of the first Zevo 600s to FedEx last year. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda to Build CR-V Fuel-Cell in US

The new CR-V-based FCEV might become North America’s first production vehicle to combine a plug-in feature with FCEV technology in one model, which enables the driver to charge the onboard battery to deliver EV driving around town with the option of hydrogen refueling for longer trips. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, milestones, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz First Automaker Issuing Green Panda Bonds

A so-called green bond is a fixed-income financial instrument used to support climate-related or environmental projects. They may or not be tax free. The Green Panda Bond further reflects what Daimler said is the openness and innovation of the Chinese capital market in ESG sectors.

In our view it also shows how out of touch the Republican party of No Hope, aka nope) is on environmental and economic matters with its denial of climate change and so far futile attempts to kill such instruments in the US and punish corporate issuers. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, financial results, global warming, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment