Category Archives: environment

Chevrolet Volt Earns 5 Stars in Euro NCAP with No Battery Fires. GM Announces Volt Export Plans to China Next Year

Posted on 28 November 2011 by Ken Zino

At the same time the National Highway Traffic safety Administration was preparing to announce that a formal investigation had begun over Chevrolet Volt battery fires, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) released its latest results, which gave the Opel Ampera a top 5-star rating. The Ampera is a virtual clone of the Chevrolet Volt.

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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 →

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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 →

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California Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Illegally Storing Toxic and Explosive Hazardous Wastes in His Backyard

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Wyman was charged in June 2009, after firefighters responded to a report of a fire and explosions at Wyman’s residence. Because of the ammunition that was being “cooked off” in the fire, firefighters had to wear bullet proof vests. Continue reading →

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America Recycles Day – Commemorated By EPA

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. disposes enough waste each day to fill 50,000 garbage trucks with 18,000 pounds of trash in each. The auto industry with its market based predisposition to cutting costs is well on its way to achieving 100% recycling in the U.S. Continue reading →

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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 →

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50 MPG Predicted for Toyota Prius c Hybrid

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

While not priced yet, expect the Prius c to sell for around $22,000, which is likely how Toyota will define entry level or an affordable price. In spite of fuel economy benefits, hybrids remain a tiny portion of the U.S. auto market – a little over 2% of sales YTD – because mainstream buyers refuse to pay a premium amounting to several thousand dollars over a comparable gasoline-fueled car. Continue reading →

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President Obama Kicks Keystone Pipeline Decision down the Road – after 2012 Election. Corruption Charged at State Dept.

Posted on 10 November 2011 by Ken Zino

True to form, Obama caught between his political desire to appear to be encouraging energy independence and his need to bolster waning support among environmentalists in what could be a tough bid to keep his job, today ordered the State Department to look at alternative routes that would avoid the Sand Hills in Nebraska. This effectively kicks the political problem down the road until after the 2012 Presidential election. Nevertheless, it does not address larger policy and environmental issues surrounding the tar sands derived oil pipeline. Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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Milestones: Ford EcoBoost 3-Cylinder Startup in Cologne

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally today launched volume production in Cologne of Ford’s smallest gasoline engine – a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine that will debut in Europe in early 2012. Eventually variants of the three-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection gasoline engine … Continue reading →

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EPA Ordered to Check State Plans Cutting Haze Pollutants

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Ken Zino

EPA initially issued a rule in 1999 requiring states to submit regional haze plans. These plans were due in December 2007. National Parks Conservation Association and other environmental groups sued the agency in August 2011 to take action on these plans. Today’s consent decree resolves the litigation. Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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