Energy usage attributable to electric vehicles could soar 1,700 percent by 2020, according to a report authored by utility consulting firmThe Shpigler Groupand released by theUtilities Telecom Council(UTC), the so-called"voice of critical infrastructure communications."Annual megawatt-hour (MWh) usage from plug-in vehicles could swell from only 146,000 in 2010 to 2.6 million by 2020, the report notes. This, according to UTC, raises a host of technological and operational issues for the nation's electric utilities, particularly when it comes to modernizing and upgrading the U.S.' dated infrastructure.
The report,"Gearing Up for Electric Vehicles: Tackling the EV Challenges to the Smart Grid,"notes that the forecasted surge in plug-in vehicles could lead to a 61-fold annual reduction in CO2 emission. While that's a remarkable reduction, the report doesn't provide adequate info to determine if it's even remotely close to accurate.
UTC says that to accommodate this game-changing shift in electricity usage, a number of issues must be addressed, including improved battery performance, advancements in vehicle-to-grid technology that can utilize a vehicle's battery as a grid storage device and infrastructure innovations that support the peak load changes that plug-ins will undoubtedly introduce to the nation's grid. That's a lot of work that needs to be completed by 2020, but almost anything is possible, right?
Photo by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright©2010 AOL
понедельник, 23 мая 2011 г.
Study: Energy usage attributable to electric vehicles could rise 1,700% by 2020— Autoblog Green
четверг, 19 мая 2011 г.
Ecotality installs 1,000th Blink Level 2 residential charging station— Autoblog Green
On Monday,Ecotalityannounced that it had completed the installation of its 1,000th Blink Level 2 residential charging station, marking a significant milestone in the deployment of plug-in vehicle chargers in the U.S. Installations of Blink residential charging stations began in early 2011, coinciding with the delivery of vehicles like theNissan Leafand theChevrolet Volt.
On a related note, Ecotality recently added Macy's department stores to its list of commercial partners, which includesBP/Arco,Best Buy,Cracker BarrelandFred Meyer.
Ecotality is project manager ofThe EV Projectand will oversee the installation of approximately 14,000 commercial and residential charging stations in 18 major cities and metropolitan areas in six states and the District of Columbia. The massive EV Project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through a federal stimulus grant of $114.8 million, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
вторник, 17 мая 2011 г.
Consumer Reports says now's not the time to buy a hybrid vehicle— Autoblog Green
Despite the fact that the national average price of gasolinehit $4 a gallon last week, Jeff Bartlett,Consumer Reportsdeputy online automotive editor, says that now's the worst time to buy a hybrid vehicle. Why's that? Well, as Bartlett explains, many owners of gas-guzzling SUVs are ditching their rides in favor of more fuel-efficient vehicles. Therefore, the values of behemoth SUVs are declining, while prices for hybrids and other fuel-sipping vehicles are on the rise due to soaring demand.
In an interview withHybrid Cars, Bartlett stated:
That makes sense, right? While Bartlett is not saying that hybrids aren't worth the additional upfront investment, he is implying that now's not the ideal time to trade in a gas-guzzler for a fuel-sipping automobile. Of course, filling up at $4 a gallon doesn't mean it's the worst time, either.The best advice for a fair portion of people is to think through the long-term picture and hold {on} to a gas-guzzler for next few months.Buying a hybrid can quickly pay itself off. But those economic benefits are undermined when buying your hybrid at the exact moment when hybrids are in greatest demand, and when trading in your less-efficient vehicle is the least desirable.
понедельник, 16 мая 2011 г.
Majority of Americans want 62 mpg CAFE standards; automakers don't— Autoblog Green
It's easy to find examples of ways Americans disagree on politics (just turn on any cable news channel right now) but here's a curious case of the majority agreeing on one important point: 62 percent of Americans support an increase in the average fuel economy mandate in the U.S. to 60 miles per gallon by 2025.
That's aroung the level currently under loose discussion in Washington (which is 62 mpg), and the strong, bi-partisan support is the finding of a survey released today by the Consumer Federation of America, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation under commission. The current CAFE rules, announced in April 2010, require35 mpg by 2016.
Thereisone group that's against the 60+ mpg level, though: automakers. As formerGMvice chair Bob Lutztold us the other daywhen talking about a CAFE increase that wasn't quite 62 mpg,"Nobody knows how to do a full-line fleet with the equivalent of 42 miles per gallon. That's ain'tgonnahappen.com."More broadly, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents many major automakers, asked the Obama administration tonot consider a 62 mpg standarduntil more studies on this level's impact on the industry are completed. It warned that such a high level might negatively affect safety, sales and jobs.
воскресенье, 15 мая 2011 г.
Edmunds lists most, least fuel-efficient sporty vehicles— Autoblog Green
Question: can sporty vehicles be fuel efficient? Answer: yes. Recently, the team over atEdmunds Auto Observercompiled a list of some of the most and least fuel-efficient sporty vehicles available. Surprisingly, there's a monstrous gap (of $165) between the lowest and highest monthly fuel costs (computed with gasoline at $3.96 a gallon) for vehicles in the"sporty"category.
Coming out on top, with the lowest estimated monthly fuel costs for sporty vehicles, was theMini Cooper($165), followed closely by the Mini Cooper convertible ($169), Mini Cooper S ($174) and the Mini Cooper with the John Cooper Works package ($186). Notice a trend? Slotting into fifth place was theVolkswagen GTIwith six-speed automatic transmission ($195). Down at the bottom of the chart, with estimated monthly fuel costs of $330, was theChevrolet Corvette ZR1andBMW M3.
Obviously, the performance of vehicles in Edmunds' broadly defined sporty segment varies dramatically but it still provides interesting reading. Clickherefor a look at the complete list.
суббота, 14 мая 2011 г.
Video: Electric Aero Train soars to 124 mph, floats inches above road— Autoblog Green
Packing electric motors, the Aero Train hovers inches above the tarmac, eliminating any rolling resistance and allowing it to hit a top speed of 124 mph. A U-shaped concrete channel controls air flow and provides the Aero Train's robotic controls with a makeshift road to follow. On-board computers control pitch, roll and yaw of the prototype.
In the future– get this– the developers envision the Aero Train traveling within a tunnel capped with solar panels that send juice directly to the vehicle's batteries.Hit the jumpto catch video of the prototype Aero Train floating down the road.
пятница, 13 мая 2011 г.
Scuderi split-cycle engine decreases 2011 Nissan Sentra's fuel consumption by up to 35%— Autoblog Green
Scuderi Group,an engineering and licensing company based in West Springfield, MA, has released fuel consumption results of a computer study that modeled the effects of variousScuderi Split-Cycle(SSC) prototype engine designs, including turbocharged andair-hybrid, in a2011 Nissan Sentra. The computer tests simulated Federal Test Procedure-75 (FTP-75) for each of Scuderi's engines and preliminary results show that a decrease in fuel consumption of up to a 35 percent was achievable when Scuderi's Split-Cycle air-hybrid engine replaced the Sentra's standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill.
The primary purpose of the study was to examine one fundamental question: how fuel efficient are Scuderi's engines? According to Scuderi, this question has been difficult to answer because it's dependent on the type vehicle and the route driven. However, with the computer study attempting to model real-world driving, Scuderi believes that it's one step closer to definitively getting a fundamental answer.
Scuderi Group will provide in-depth details on the results of the 2011 Nissan Sentra study at the Engine Expo 2011 in Stuttgart, Germany in mid-May.
среда, 11 мая 2011 г.
It's official: National average gas price hits $4— Autoblog Green
The national average price of gasoline has hit exactly $4 a gallon, approximately a dime below its all-time high. According to a Lundberg Survey of fueling stations released on Sunday, pump prices rose 12 cents over the past two weeks. On July 7, 2008, the national average price of gas soared to $4.114 a gallon, a record-setting high, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy.
If you're hunting for bargain gas, and willing to drive to get it, then Tucson, AZ offers you the lowest average price among cities surveyed, just $3.62 a gallon. Meanwhile, drivers in Chicago suffered the most, having to dish out an average of $4.50 for a single gallon of the go-juice.
The U.S. Department of Energy will release its weekly survey of diesel and gasoline prices on Monday afternoon. Who's willing to bet that prices will have come down by then?
вторник, 10 мая 2011 г.
D'oh! How the government's flex-fuel fleet leads to increased gasoline use— Autoblog Green
We've talkedbeforeabout President Obama's plan to greenify the federal fleet, generally thought of as a good thing. In leading by example, Obama hopes to show the American public that flex-fuel vehicles– and other gas-misers like hybrids and plug-ins– can substantially reduce our dependence on gasoline. However,Automotive News(sub. req.) has posted an interesting article showing that even the best of intentions don't guarantee success.
In 2009, despite increased purchases of flex-fuel and hybrid vehicles, the U.S. government fleet consumed three percent more gasoline than it did in the previous year. While it may sound paradoxical that E85-capable vehicles actually end up using more gasoline, there's nothing mysterious going on here. For example, last year, 55 percent of the government's E85-capable vehicles ran on gasoline simply because there were no stations offering E85 where they filled up. With only one percent of filling stations offering E85, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to fill the tank with this high-ethanol blend.
Then there's a larger problem."All the E85 vehicles are bigger, less fuel-efficient vehicles,"Roland Hwang, transportation program director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, told Automotive News."And they're going to be filled up with gasoline most of the time. Therefore they're going to use more gasoline than more fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles."
понедельник, 9 мая 2011 г.
22% of Americans"extremely confident"gas will soon be too expensive to drive normally— Autoblog Green
On average, gas at $4.90 per gallon would push most of those surveyed to turn to public transit. Even though soaring gas prices were cited as the primary reason (42 percent) Americans with adequate public transportation in their area would hitch a ride rather than drive, 14 percent say that convenience factors in too. As for saving the environment, only six percent of surveyed drivers say that it will play a role in deciding whether or not to give public transportation a go.
воскресенье, 8 мая 2011 г.
Graphene composite material is thin like paper, 10 to 13 times stronger than steel— Autoblog Green
In work recently published in theJournal of Applied Physics, a University of Technology Sydney (UTS) team led by professor Guoxiu Wang presented reproducible test results showing that graphene paper has the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry. How? Well, researchers at UTS have milled raw graphite by purifying and filtering it with chemicals to reshape and reform it into graphene nanosheets. We should explain.
By using a proprietary process, the UTS team claims to have made a material that, when compared to steel, is six times lighter, is five to six times less dense, is two times harder and has ten times the tensile strength and 13 times the bending rigidity. Sounds pretty amazing to us.
Lead researcher, Ali Reza Ranjbartoreh, claims that:
Furthermore, Ranjbartoreh says the test results show that use of graphene paper in the automotive industry would allow the development of lighter vehicles that consume less fuel, emit lower amounts of CO2 and have reduced operating costs. Given how hard and expensive it is to implement carbon fiber in mass-produced vehicles, we don't expect to see a graphene nanosheet EV any time soon, but we're keeping this tech on our radar.The exceptional mechanical properties of synthesized graphene paper render it a promising material for commercial and engineering applications. Not only is it lighter, stronger, harder and more flexible than steel it is also a recyclable and sustainable manufacturable product that is eco-friendly and cost effective in its use.
суббота, 7 мая 2011 г.
European Commision director says remaining oil dependent would be"fatal mistake"— Autoblog Green
The European Commission's (EC) directorate general for energy and transport, Marjeta Jager, warns that it would be a"fatal mistake"for the European Union (EU) to postpone measures that reduce oil dependency. At a recent Green Party conference in the European Parliament, Jager stated:
Jager pointed to theEC's Transport 2050white paper, which reads, in part:If action is delayed, in the not-too-distant future we may be forced to drastically reduce all our mobility and import technological solutions from other parts of the world.
Last week, International Energy Agency chief economist, Fatih Birol, claimed that theworld's crude oil production peaked back in 2006:The widely held belief that you need to cut mobility to fight climate change is simply not true... Curbing mobility is not an option; neither is business as usual. We can break the transport system's dependence on oil without sacrificing its efficiency and compromising mobility. It can be win–win.
We just looked at a map, and couldn't find any more Saudi Arabias.The existing {oil} fields are declining so sharply that in order to stay where we are in terms of production levels in the next 25 years, we have to find and develop four new Saudi Arabias.
четверг, 5 мая 2011 г.
World Bank says"new global electric vehicle value chain"worth $250 billion by 2020— Autoblog Green
Unsurprisingly, China will play a huge role
"When you do some of the back-of-the-envelope calculations, it really points to a massive shift."
That's the takeaway point from a new study–"The China New Energy Vehicles Program: Challenges and Opportunities"– released by the World Bank Transport Office and global management consulting firm PRTM. We recently had the chance to talk to PRTM's Oliver Hazimeh, who said the study shows that there's really no chance that plug-in vehicles arenotgoing to make a huge impact in the coming decade. One way is through a new global value chain for electric vehicles that is estimated to reach $250 billion by 2020.
People's crystal balls differ, but Hazimeh believes that it is"more than doable"and"likely"that somewhere between nine and ten percent of the vehicles sold in 2020 will be plug-ins. Add up all the different pieces that make up these vehicles (especially batteries) and things like the associated expansion at utilities due to a smart grid, and you get to the study's $250 billion headline number:
The study authors didn't need to use outrageous oil prices for 2020– just $120 a barrel– to get to the 10 percent number. If the real price of oil hits $150 or $160, something Hazimeh said was"more likely,"then some of the pressures get applied even stronger."When it starts making economic sense, then we think it's more than the early adopters– the two or three percent– who will buy these things,"he said.Given what we see the OEMs committing to, given the cost curves and what we expect from ICE technology and fuel costs, the trends point to a direction where the economics will create enough pull for that number.
Even 10 percent annual sales is still only two-three percent of the total fleet, but this is still a very optimistic prediction. Hazimeh has been studying these numbers for a long time, though, and hasn't changed his predictions for 2020 in a big way in the last few years because of the strong efforts China is making to electrify its fleet:
If you'd like to see the data and reasoning behind the report yourself, clickhere(PDF).What is really highlighted is that China is ahead, but I would say it's ahead because, politically, their commitment and understanding of the imperative to move to the plug-in platform is clearer there. You can argue that it's because of the single-party system, and it's easier to corral that vision, but it's there and it's translated into these initiatives that were set up, right from the beginning, as larger pilots. It's not about 20 or 30 vehicles, but it's about a minimum of 1,000 vehicles and they quickly expand them. And they invested heavily in technology around batteries and some of the motor technologies.
среда, 4 мая 2011 г.
In new SEC filing, Tesla says Model S is on track, Daimler orders more and 1,650 Roadsters have been delivered— Autoblog Green
Tesla Motorsreleased its latest SEC filing today, and there was good news and more news for the first quarter of 2011.
First, the company had revenues of $49 million, up 35 percent from the previous quarter's $36.3 million. This makes 2011 Q1 Tesla's most profitable quarter ever, even though net loss for the quarter was $48.9 million (on"generally accepted accounting principles"basis).
Second, and this is key for the long-term, CEO Elon Musk said in a statement that plans for the Model S are continuing as planned:
Also,Daimlerhas upped its order for Tesla-builtSmart FortwoED components by 300 units (from 1,800 to 2,100). Tesla says all of these will ship in 2011. Oh, and Tesla now says that more than 1,650 Roadsters have been delivered around the world. If you're a real detail junkie, you can read the 8-K SEC reporthere. At the end of the trading day today, TSLA stock was at $26.69.Our engineering and manufacturing teams have now completed the construction of all of our Model S alpha vehicles, having finished the final alpha in April. These vehicles are successfully undergoing the planned cold weather brakes testing, ride and handling evaluation, safety validation, electrical integration, and noise, vibration and harshness evaluation. As has been our plan, we will continue testing this quarter with a particular focus on durability and systems integration as we prepare for our beta build later this year. Overall, we remain on track for first customer deliveries of the Model S in mid-2012.
вторник, 3 мая 2011 г.
IEA: Governments need to rethink reliance on oil— Autoblog Green
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an independent, multi-government group formed out of the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. The Agency forecasts oil production and monitors international oil markets and energy sectors. Just five years ago, the IEA rather confidently predicted that oil production would rise to 120 million barrels per day by 2030. Well, there's been a change in outlook.
Now, IEA chief economist Fatih Birol says that the world's crude oil production peaked backed in 2006. Furthermore, Birol predicts that oil prices will rise by 30 percent over the next three years. That price hike, according to Birol, is due to declining access to crude and because some of the world's largest oil producers will intentionally slash output to artificially drive up prices.
Birol says that although peak crude oil production is behind us, abundant natural gas could provide a viable alternative. The IEA says that governments around the world need to rethink their reliance on oil. That's a statement that we can wholeheartedly agree with.
воскресенье, 1 мая 2011 г.
Burton Electric is a kit roadser built on the chassis of Citroen's 2CV— Autoblog Green
It's built on the same Citroen 2CV chassis as its gasoline-burning sibling, but there's one significant difference: it runs on battery power. The Burton Electric, hailed as"the world's most sustainable sportscar"by Burton, boasts a meager curb weight of 1,631 pounds.
The electrified kit roadster is equipped with a 16-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack and features a 25-kW electric motor that puts out 89 pound-feet of torque. The electrified Burton has a claimed range of 87 miles and tops out at the highway-capable speed of 75 miles per hour.
Priced from€38,000 ($56,468 U.S. at the current exchange rate), owning the Burton Electric doesn't come cheap, but it's without competition, so we don't see its lofty price tag as being a huge problem. Soon, Burton will offer the electrified conversion kit, allowing buyers to build a Burton Electric and existing Burton owners to switch their gasoline-fueled rides over to battery power. As with all of the other Burtons, the electric version can be accessorized and modified to suit buyers' tastes and budget.
суббота, 30 апреля 2011 г.
Geely McCar hides electric trike inside its hybrid or EV body {w/video}— Autoblog Green
At the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show, Chinese automaker Geely displayed a concept vehicle called McCar. Apparently, McCar stands for"magic car"– or something like that.
The subcompact vehicle can accommodate four people and– are you ready for this?– one three-wheeled, foldable battery-powered scooter. Geely says that the electrified trike will come in handy in China's congested cities where traffic jams can stop four-wheeled vehicles in their tracks. Because who wants to walk?
Designed to be equipped with either a hybrid or fully electric powertrain (using a 12-kWh battery pack), Geely says that the McCar has a driving range of 93 miles and a top speed of 52 miles per hour when outfitted with the electric-only setup. In hybrid form, range hits 404 miles and max speed rises to 81 mph.
Hit the jumpto watch Geely's subtitled promo video detailing the innovative design that allows the McCar to hide an electric trike inside.
пятница, 29 апреля 2011 г.
Study: 85% of U.S. consumers willing to buy a plug-in vehicle when ...— Autoblog Green
Plug-in vehicles are just starting to drizzle into the market, but many U.S. consumers are champing at the bit to buy them. So says E Source, a"dynamic"research and advisory firm, which recently analyzed data from the Nielsen Energy Survey and supposedly discovered that 85 percent of U.S. consumers would purchase a battery-powered vehicle either right away (3 percent), when their current automobile needs replacement (57 percent) or when electric vehicle technology is proven and becomes mainstream (25 percent).
Under the headline numbers, though, E Source found that not all plug-ins are the same. Consumers"strongly prefer"(58 percent) plug-in hybrid vehicles like theChevrolet Volt. Pure EVs, like theNissan Leaf, are only preferred by a mere eight percent. Bill LeBlanc, senior advisor at E Source, says that the statistics show"a substantial willingness for drivers to move to plug-in electric vehicles, but only if the manufacturers can provide the easy extended range of travel that Americans are used to."
E Source's analysis also suggests that liberals are more inclined to desire electric vehicles than conservatives (seehere). LeBlanc adds that:
We see that all ages and all political mindsets like the plug-in hybrid vehicles equally. But when it comes to the all-electric car, it appears to be seen as more of a"green"purchase, rather than as a practical upgrade to a more-efficient vehicle.The E Source study examined other variables, including home ownership, type of home, household size, annual income, gender, age, marital status and ethnicity. We'd suggest that these findings be taken with a grain of salt.
четверг, 28 апреля 2011 г.
Chevy Volt hate comes on strong, but Bob Lutz strikes back hard— Autoblog Green
Is there any car out there that draws more political fire than theChevy Volt? Sure, people rag on theNissan Leaffor its limited range and on a bunch of cars– theMurano CrossCabriolet, theAcuraZDX, theJuke– for their styling, but the Volt really seems to have a special ability to get people's claws out. It's almost like they'veforgotten all abouttheToyota Prius. The main issues are the alternative powertrain and the political effects of the feds bailing outGeneral Motorsand issuing plug-in vehicle rebates.
Take, for example, a recent article onRed Statetitled,"The Chevy Volt: designed for Democratic bureaucrats."Writer Moe Lane attacks the car for being"a glorified hybrid,"saying that"the effective gas mileage is somewhere around 27 mpg."That's almost a reasonable argument, especially when compared to some of the vitriol directed at the Volt from people likeRush Limbaugh. Whatever the politicians say, at least one retired member of the U.S. Navy, Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, is willing to go out on a limb and say:"'Clean' Cars are Patriotic."Still, over onHot Air, the reasoning goes:
Enter our old friend Bob Lutz, who has a new book coming out on June 9. Titled"Car Guys vs Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business,"the book"puts the Volt birthers and their tinfoil-hat-wearing fellow travelers in their place,"writesMotor Trend. MT also quotes Lutz as writing:Feel like buying a Chevy Volt? Probably not, thanks to the steep price tag; the car retails north of $40,000, a high price for a subcompact four-seater. What you may not know is that you're already buying Volts, thanks to {the $7,500} tax credit.
Apparently, Lutz doesn't spare those on the left of the political spectrum, but he's really peeved at the right-wing bloviators:"To all the doubters, opponents, critics and skeptics... {including} Glenn Beck, I say: 'Eat your hearts out. Volt is the future'."Animosity towards the Obama administration is so intense among the right-wing talk-show hosts that any vulnerability, however tenuous, must be attacked and blamed on 'socialist influence', with no regard to truth or to the damage these reckless claims can make to GM, an American corporation, to the dedicated and hard-driving members of the Volt team, and to a now-misinformed public that may be steered away from a transportation solution that would fill their needs perfectly.
среда, 27 апреля 2011 г.
J.D. Power: Outlook for"green"vehicles to remain limited in foreseeable future— Autoblog Green
Growth of the green vehicle segment will be limited by costs and functionality, according to J.D. Power and Associates'"2011 US Green Automotive Study."With a rapid increase in the number of vehicles that feature alternative powertrains, automakers will be vying over a limited amount of consumers who are willing to pay a premium to"drive green,"according to the report.
J.D. Powers' study examines the attitudes of U.S. consumers toward four alternative powertrain technologies: hybrid; clean diesel; plug-in hybrid; and battery electric vehicles. The study tried to gauge consumer consideration rates for these types of vehicles and, according to the report, the percentage of those surveyed who either"probably would"or"definitely would"consider each of the four powertrains when buying their next automobile breaks down like this:
- Hybrid electric vehicles: 51 percent
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: 37 percent
- Diesel-engined vehicles: 31 percent
- Battery electric vehicles: 26 percent
Executive director of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates, Mike VanNieuwkuyk, sums up what's likely to hold back the adoption of"green"vehicles, stating:
Recapping that wordy quote: it's a vehicle's price tag that will either lure buyers in or drive them away. Sounds familiar.Hybrid electric vehicles have been available in the automotive market for more than 10 years, and consumer awareness and understanding of them has grown during that time. As concerns about the functionality and performance of hybrid vehicles have abated, vehicle price has become more prevalent as the primary purchase impediment. Without a tax credit to offset the price premium, consumers must absorb all of this additional cost. Furthermore, aggressive government subsidies are unlikely to be sustainable over the long term. Ultimately, the true cost of the technology needs to come down substantially.
вторник, 26 апреля 2011 г.
In most U.S. markets, arrival of plug-in vehicles still months (years?) away— Autoblog Green
The number of plug-in vehicles rolling out of dealer showrooms and down U.S. streets every month will soon number in the thousands. Yet, for the vast majority of residents of this country, fulfilling the dream of owning aChevrolet Volt,Nissan Leaf,Ford Focus Electricor most any other plug-in is still months– perhaps even years– away. Take, for example, Tampa Bay, FL. In early April, theTampa Tribunereported on the plug-in autos available in Florida's third largest city. Here's a breakdown of the newspaper's report.
Nissan Leaf: Florida dealers likely won't have any Leafs for nearly a year, asNissanis currently only delivering the electric hatchbacks to the early rollout states of California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington State, Tennessee, Texas and Hawaii.
Chevrolet Volt:General Motorssays that Florida dealers might receive Volts this fall, but realistically, bulk deliveries to Florida will likely begin in early 2012.
Ford Focus Electric:– The electrifiedFocus is headed to 19 markets in late 2011and Orlando, FL is on the list. Tampa is not.
Tesla Motors: The electric automaker operates a store in Miami, FL that currently sells the $100,000-plusRoadster. Miami is nearly 300 miles south of Tampa.
Fisker Automotive: Tampa-based Elder Automotive Group is currently taking deposits for the$95,900-plusFisker Karma. Deliveries should commence in June.
Suncoast Electric Vehiclesin St. Petersburg, FL is selling the low-speed Wheego Whip and the first highway-capable$32,995 Wheego LiFewasdelivered on Earth Day.
So, unless Tampa residents have deep pockets and can afford to buy a Roadster, they'll most likely have to wait to own a plug-in car. Is Tampa's situation significantly different from your city or town? Let us hear about it by dropping a note in the comment below.
Gallery:Ford Focus Electric
понедельник, 25 апреля 2011 г.
Unmodified Nissan Leaf entered in Pikes Peak Hill Climb {w/videos}— Autoblog Green
"With electric automobiles popping up like dandelions across the landscape of American driving, it's no surprise that they will be part of the field at the 89th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 26."
So says the press release you'll find waiting for your prying eyes after the break. While it's true that we're not exactly surprised that an electric car will make its way up to the top of the historic hill– there was, after all, a dedicated electric vehicle class for 2010– we are a little curious whether a completely stockNissan Leafhas any chance of dethroningcurrent EV Hill Climb record holder Ikuo Hanawa of Japan.
Certainly, driverChad Hordknows what he's doing, as he currently pilots an off-road racing truck in the TORC series. In any case, we'll find out soon enough if the Leaf's 110 horsepower and 90-mile-per-hour top speed has the stuff to hang with the purpose-built EV racers; Hanawa will again contest the championship in his Concept two-wheel drive 2010 Custom Summit HER-02.
Oh, and about that dandelion thing... those are generally unwanted guests of those who actually care about keeping a lush carpet of green in their yards. Maybe not the way lovers of automotive greenery want to think of their rides, eh? Check out the complete press releaseafter the breakfor all the details, and spend a few minutes watching Hanawa's record-setting HER-02 do its thing on the Peak.
Gallery:2010 Nissan LEAF
воскресенье, 24 апреля 2011 г.
Is the VW Bora (Jetta) Protect the world's most fuel-efficient armored sedan?— Autoblog Green
TheVolkswagenBora Protect could possibly be the world's most fuel-efficient, factory-built armored sedan. Powered by the automaker's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and paired to VW's six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the Protect version of the Bora (called theJettain the U.S.) has all the makings of a fuel-efficient four-door, but hundreds of pounds of tank-like armor probably increases its appetite for gasoline rather dramatically.
The bullet-blocking Bora features Kevlar and Aramid mats in the door panels, bullet-resistant polycarbonate windows and run-flat rubber to make shooting out the tires a real challenge. The $70,000 (U.S.) Bora Protect is designed to keep drivers and occupants safe in Mexico, as that's where the armored Bora is sold. Why Mexico? Well, um, that's open to opinion. However, we'd venture to guess that the Bora Protect is often used to safely carve through streets ravaged by theMexican Drug War.
суббота, 23 апреля 2011 г.
API: U.S. demand for gas surges in March— Autoblog Green
Steadily rising fuel costs during the first three months of 2011 have had virtually no impact on total U.S. petroleum deliveries, says the American Petroleum Institute (API). First-quarter deliveries rose by 5.5 percent, compared to the same period in 2010. For March, deliveries surged by 7.3 percent over the same month in 2010, hitting a whopping 20.5 million barrels per day. API chief economist John Felmy said in a statement that the culprit here is the rebounding economy:
The petroleum increase made its way to our pumps. During the first quarter of 2011, gasoline deliveries jumped by 4.1 percent, compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, U.S. refinery production of gasoline rose by 4.9 percent in March, compared to February, leading to record highs in both the month of March and the first quarter of 2011.Strong deliveries continue to indicate growth in the economy. The increase is consistent with expansion in the manufacturing sector reported by the government, although that was relatively modest. The increase is especially significant given the potentially depressing effect of rising prices on fuel demand and amid some prognostications that forward growth in the economy may be more modest than hoped.
среда, 20 апреля 2011 г.
Video: dAlH2Orean, the aluminum can-powered RC car— Autoblog Green
dAlH2Orean aluminum powered R/C car - Click above to watch videoafter the jumpIf you're having a hard time pronouncing this new R/C car's name, thinkBack to the Future. A two-man professor and student team created the dAlH2Orean, pronounced, yes,"delorean,"as an homage to the classic film. According to the creators,professorXavier Salueña and studentAleix Llovet, this is the first R/C car to run on aluminum sodacan rings and sodium hydroxide. It's not a Mr. Fusion, but it is one step closer than we had before.
How does it work? When combined with water, aluminum reacts with sodium hydroxide and gives off hydrogen. The hydrogen then passes through a vinegar filter which removes traces of hydroxides. A second filter containing silica gel removes moisture from the hydrogen which then goes into a fuel-cell stack to generate electricity. This electricity is then used to power a small electric motor.
The dAlH2Orean has a top speed of 30km/h (18.6mph) and can run for a very respectable 40 minutes on one tank. This R/C car is only part of a larger project dubbed 'Alumini' where the creators hope to build a 5-60 hp microcar using this technology. We highly recommend you check out the video of this R/C car in actionafter the break.