Category Archives: transportation

NRC Sends more Experts on Nuclear Reactors to Japan

In what is a politically sensitive area in Japan, as a result of the U.S.’s deployment of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima, home of Mazda, and Nagasaki that ended the war in 1945, NRC said that “only if asked” would it be part of the Japanese government’s decision making process” on the reactors. Continue reading

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World First – Suzuki Fuel Cell Motorcycle Street Legal in EU

The upshot is that zero emission motorcycles are now a step closer to becoming commercially available, and since motorcycles don’t come in right-hand-drive versions, the motorcycle could – in theory – be produced and sold throughout Europe. Continue reading

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Toyota Starts a Sweeping Reorganization – “Global Vision”

Vowing that “Toyota will lead the way to the future of mobility,” Toyoda, the scion of the founding family, said the executive staff would be streamlined and more decision making power would now reside in the regions.

The unintended acceleration and stuck gas pedal recalls were only undertaken by Toyota after years of neglect when U.S. Department of Transportation officials flew to Japan and insisted on the safety recalls. U.S. Toyota executives were only responsible for sales matters and were powerless to address the issue. Subsequently, DOT imposed record multi million dollar fines on Toyota for delays in addressing the deadly problem.
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Hertz to Offer Rental Renault Electric Vehicles in Europe

Hertz said that it plans to add 500 units of the Renault EV range to its fleet over the next two years in what can be characterized as a modest effort to see if there really is a rental market for EVs. Avis claims it has similar, but thus far vague plans in Europe for renting rival Citroen EVs as well.< Continue reading

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Senate Dithers as Highway Trust Fund Goes Broke

During a hearing today in Washington, Democrats and Republicans postured over President Barack Obama’s proposal for a six-year, $556 billion highway bill with none of the partisans suggesting how it will actually be paid for.

This ducks the real issue of the ongoing decline in highway trust fund revenues that built the interstate system during the 1950s and contributed to what was then a booming American economy. Continue reading

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TRW and Fallbrook Sign MOU to Develop Continuously Variable Accessory Drive for Commercial Vehicles

TRW Automotive and Fallbrook Technologies today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop applications for Fallbrook’s continuously variable accessory drive (CVAD) technology for commercial vehicles.

The specific applications covered by the MOU were not disclosed, but are designed to improve both performance and efficiency of vehicle accessories, which could directly increase vehicle fuel efficiency. Continue reading

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Comments Closing Today on Proposed Bus and Truck Fuel Economy Standards. 500 million barrels of oil at stake?

The proposed rules would create comprehensive heavy-duty national program (HD National Program) designed to address what EPA says is “the urgent and closely intertwined challenges of dependence on oil, energy security, and global climate change.” Continue reading

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Construction of Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Tennessee Well Underway

Construction is progressing on Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, which will produce lithium-ion batteries for the Leaf electric vehicle. Continue reading

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Refinery to Pay $5.3 Million Penalty for Clean Air Act Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced today that Hovensa LLC, owner of the second largest petroleum refinery in the United States, will pay a civil penalty of more than $5.3 million and spend more than $700 million in new pollution controls to resolve Clean Air Act violations at its St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands refinery. Continue reading

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Ultracapacitors to Challenge Batteries in Stop/Start Vehicles?

Pike Research that claims worldwide sales of ultracapacitors will grow tenfold from $28 million in 2011 to $284 million by 2016, with cumulative revenue of $901 million during that period. Continue reading

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EPA, DOT and California Want Higher Light Vehicle Fuel Economy Rules in Place by September. Jobs Are at Stake

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of California today announced a timeframe for proposing what will no doubt be increased fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas standards for model year 2017-2025 cars and light-duty trucks. Continue reading

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Gasoline Prices Rising. Another Roller Coaster Ride Underway?

At the end of December 2010 gasoline prices in the United States rose above $3 a gallon for the first time since October of 2008. The difference this time around is that in 2008 the pricing trend was downward, having … Continue reading

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Laser Attacks on Airplanes Double in 2010

The Federal Aviation Administration announced today that the number of laser strikes on airplanes in 2010 nearly doubled from the previous year to more than 2,800. This is the highest number of incidents since the FAA first began keeping track of this new safety threat in 2005. Continue reading

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NHTSA Administrator Strickland Visits NAIAS Show Promoting Jobs, Not Safety? The Endless Partison Political Campaign Continues

The man responsible for traffic safety in the United States, David Strickland, visited the North American International Auto Show – NAIAS – this week promoting the Obama Administration’s jobs agenda – or at least the let’s talk, but do little, part of it, with nary a word about traffic safety. Continue reading

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Red Light Cameras Approved in Missouri. Arizona Murderer Destories Serving Time for Speed Camera Shooting

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today gave the go ahead for the statewide use of cameras mounted on traffic lights to automatically record and catch red-light runners. It also approved the ongoing use of speed cameras in restricted circumstances. … Continue reading

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