Filed under: MPG, Legislation and Policy, USA

Though BMW was the first automaker to contact the Bush Administration with concerns about the latest CAFE rules, it didn’t take long for more to speak up. As represented by the Alliance of Car Manufacturers, the Detroit 3, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and others have banded together to proclaim the demands too harsh. Especially considering the current state of automotive affairs, the Alliance alleges that it will be too high-priced to either meet the goals set out in the latest CAFE standards or face the fines for not meeting them. It is certainly true that most automakers are finding it tough to sell vehicles in these days of turbulent fuel prices and a damaged economy in the U.S.

Eighty-percent of the auto market in the says is represented by the Auto Alliances members, so the issues presented by the groups are sure to be taken seriously. With other groups, including Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, wanting to actually increase the CAFE stipulations even further, the auto manufacturers seem to have their work cut out for them.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

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Via [autobloggreen]

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, USA

The only place we can think of that’s more perfectly suited for electric cars than an island is an island paradise far, far away from the mainland. Hawaii, for instance. It seems the thought also occurred to them as they’ve already been in speaks with Project better Place and still keep the first EV in Hawaii on hand. Now, to help them out with their electric-car contemplation comes a allow of 50,000 big ones from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. Obviously not a king’s ransom, the money is better, to paraphrase Frank Sinatra, than a kick in the pants.

Actually, Hawaii and the Department of Energy are partnered in the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative which aims to have 70 percent of the islands energy derived from renewable sources and the money is in support of that program. Governor Linda Lingle also sees the economic advantages in moving transportation in this direction. She states, “This grant will help Hawaii build the foundation needed to transition to electric vehicles and help reduce the need for expensive gasoline…”. And high-priced it is, with people paying as much as $4.75 a gallon for regular within the past few days.

[Source: Pacific Business News]

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Via [autobloggreen]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed under: Toyota

Click above image for a gallery of the 5-door Yaris

How do you know gas prices are high? Well, for one thing, your wallet feels a whole lot lighter after you fill up your vehicle. Another indicator is that Toyota is adding a second Yaris liftback to its U.S. lineup. So much for the red-white-and-blue being averse to hatches. For the ‘09 model year, we’re finally getting the 5-door Yaris hatch, which has been available in other markets, including Canada, since the current automobile arrived in 2005. The 5-door is basically the same size as the three-door, but the added points of entry make for a more usable overall package, especially if you’re going to be using the back seats often. Parents, for one, should be pleased with the new offering. Other changes made to the Yaris range for ‘09 include the addition of standard front side and rear curtain airbags and the addition of optional cruise control for the Liftback. Toyota hasn’t announced pricing yet, but it should be in line with what it already asks for the 3- and 4-door vehicles. Photos of the U.S. market car haven’t been released yet, but the enclosed gallery of the UK-market version show you just about all you need to know. Just mentally flip that steering wheel over to the other side.

[Source: Toyota]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed under: Etc., Solar, Legislation and Policy, USA

With the cost of fuels and the environmental toll of traditional carbon-based sources of electricity generation swiftly climbing, solar power in America has become so popular that the government has placed a moratorium on the building of any such projects on Western public land. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has decided to initiate a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) in conjunction with the Department of Energy (DOE) to assess the “environmental, social, and economic impacts” that solar installations could have on some of the 119 million acres that it manages in six Western states. While the PEIS is being conducted, no new applications for solar plants will be accepted and the 125 applications already received - which could generate up to 70 billion watts or enough power for 20 million homes - will be the object of their scrutiny. All this effort is being undertaken to, ahem, “increase domestic energy production and ensure greater energy security.” According to the New York Times, the PEIS could take two years.

Those folks hoping that the electricity they feed into their Chevy Volts and Apteras in the coming years would be supplied by increasingly carbon-free energy sources may take heart that their voices haven’t been left out of this process. from the public are encouraged at the Solar Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Solar Energy Development PEIS) website. Of course, we also appreciate your comments as well.

[Source: New York Times]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed under: Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Green Daily

Because certain subsidies and incentives allow many gas stations to sell ethanol for less money than regular gasoline, the fuel is becoming a popular choice among motorists, even if their cars are not certified for flex-fuel use. All vehicles sold in the U.S. this day are capable of accepting small doses of the alcohol fuel, as up to ten-percent of normal gasoline may be ethanol. Of course, the fuel is available in higher concentrations for automobiles which have been designed to use it, with E85 - eighty-five-percent ethanol, fifteen-percent gasoline - proving one of the most popular combinations.

Apparently, though, the lower price of the fuel has attracted the attention of those looking to save a few bucks on each fill-up. In fact, this article indicates that many users are mixing their own blends right in their tanks. This trend has prompted some gas stations to grant a choice of ethanol mixtures for drivers who want to use it, right from a single pump. Manufacturers warn that using alcohol fuels in automobiles not certified for them could cause permanent damage, so be sure you know what you’re doing before breaking those rules.

[Source: AP via The Detroit News]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Subaru, Japan

Subaru has cooked up another electric kei vehicle for me to park in my fantasy green garage, right next to the R1e and Mitsubishi i MiEV I don’t currently have. It’s a plug-in concept version of the Stella, and it will make its formal debut at next month’s G8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan. Five of the cars will be on hand at the conference — four to shuttle folks hither and to, and one on static display as part of the on-site Environmental Showcase

The electric powertrain is the same one Subaru uses in its R1e demonstrator — permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power output of 40 kW powered by a lithium ion battery pack. Operating range on a full charge is 80 kilometers, and the automobiles have a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). The plug-in Stella is an advance over the 2-seat R1e in that, like Mitsubishi’s i MiEV, its wagonoid body is a far more practical package overall.

[Source: Subaru]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, UK

Ixnay on that eketric are tay. Contrary to earlier reports (Boy, we The Daily Mail really screwed that one up) famous vacuum cleaner improver and salesperson, Sir James Dyson, is not, I repeat NOT, building an electric vehicle, solar-powered or otherwise. Even though no one is arguing that he didn’t recently muse aloud, “Electric vehicles are seen as city automobiles and to go 30mph is quite enough, but in the future that’ll change. An electric motor can go to very high speeds,” apparently he isn’t planning on being involved in any such product. According to what we hope is a much more reliable source, a company spokeswoman has said, “James [Dyson] did state that our new digital motor could power a vehicle, but we’re not working on, and have no plans to create an electric car.” Luckily, there are lots of other folks who are.

[Source: Autocar]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: Diesel

Want to go farther on each tank of diesel? Who doesn’t, these days? One way to eke out a bit more distance between fill-ups is to driver more economically. Another, according to Paramount Performance of Slough in the UK, is to get “one of the easy ‘plug and play’ diesel economy units” sold by Paramount. By remapping the engine control unit (or ECU), Paramount claims fuel economy improvements of up to 16 percent. The turbo diesel kits cost between

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Legislation and Policy, USA

John McCain’s (R) plan to give the advanced hybrid battery industry a boost sounds promising. I mean, a $300m prize to the company that can deliver a better, cheaper battery? What’s not to enjoy? Well, plenty, apparently.

After Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) criticized McCain’s idea yesterday, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama explained his own objections to the prize money. As reported by the Detroit News, Obama and other Dems said the “game show” strategy wouldn’t be strong enough to push automakers to produce the really high-mpg cars that are needed (although, the News points out, Obama does support cash prizes in the cellulosic ethanol realm). Obama stated it was his across-the-board plan that would do the trick.

Other criticisms that have come into the ABG mailbox include the claim that McCain’s plan is “poorly thought out.” McCain’s aides admit that more details need to be worked out. One alternative would be to not hold the money back until a particular battery can be built, but to offer tax rebates on PHEVs and BEVs that are on the road today, or very close to it.

Pic by transplanted mountaineer Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

[Source: The Detroit News via Autoblog]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, USA

Hybrid Technologies, in a bid to gain respect and credibility, has announced today that they will lend its LiV[TM] FLASH (a converted BMW Mini Cooper) to one Mr.Alan Thicke, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee and star of ’80s sitcom “Growing Pains“. About the deal, the Canadian-born actor is stated to have stated, “As a Baby Boomer Consumer, I’ve been part of the problem so now it’s time to be part of the solution. Hybrid Technologies allows me to cut back on emissions and eliminate fuel costs without sacrificing luxury or performance. I’ve set many examples for my children - pro and con - but this is definitely one of the better ones. I feel like a smart guy in a smart automobile!”.

In return for the loan, Mr.Thicke will mention Hybrid Technologies “as a way of leaving a positive legacy for our children’s future” in his upcoming book, “How To Raise Kids Who Won’t Hate You” (due in October, mark your calender). The press release didn’t mention whether Mr.Thicke is considering laying out the cash to actually purchase one of their cars or whether or not it is powered by the new Superlattice battery. We offer the text of the official press release after the break for your amusement perusal.

Press Release

HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES INC. (OTCBB:HYBR) EMMY & GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEE, ALAN THICKE, DRIVES HYBRID’S LITHIUM POWERED BMW MINI COOPER TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL

Hybrid Technologies’ and Accomplished Actor, Alan Thicke, Join Forces to Promote Available Substitute Fuel Choices With All Electric, Lithium Powered Vehicles - June 22, 2008 -

Hybrid Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:HYBR) www.hybridtechnologies.com, emerging leaders in the development and marketing of lithium-powered products worldwide, is extremely proud to have the endorsement of Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, Alan Thicke, as a spokesperson for emission-free cars.

Hybrid Technologies is providing Alan Thicke with the use of its LiV[TM] FLASH, an all electric version of the BMW Mini Cooper, to support his efforts in raising awareness surrounding environment issues and available fuel alternatives.

Click here for more information on Alan Thicke.

Mr. Thicke states, ‘As a Baby Boomer Consumer, I’ve been part of the problem so now it’s time to be part of the solution. Hybrid Technologies grants me to cut back on emissions and eliminate fuel costs without sacrificing luxury or performance. I’ve set many examples for my kids - pro and con - but this is definitely one of the superior ones. I feel like a smart guy in a smart car!’

As a highly-skilled writer, Mr. Thicke is publishing a book “How To Raise Children Who Won’t Hate You” where he’ll address challenges of parents. His involvement with Hybrid Technologies lithium powered automobiles will be noted as a way of leaving a positive legacy for our children’s future. The book is due out in October 2008.

One of America’s most sought-after emcees, Alan has hosted event specials including THE EMMY AWARDS; ABC’s OLYMPIC KICK-OFF GALA; CBC’s NHL AWARDS; ABC’s DISNEY CHRISTMAS and EASTER PARADES; ABC’s and NBC’s FALL PREVIEW SPECIALS; the MISS UNIVERSE, MISS WORLD USA, and MISS USA Pageants; SHOWTIME’S COMEDY ALL-STARS; TV’s FUNNIEST FAMILIES and NBC’s WORLD’S GREATEST MAGIC. His series hosting includes ABC’s ANIMAL CRACK-UPS; the EMMY-nominated PICTIONARY; A&E’s TRAVELQUEST; Game Show Network’s ALL NEW 3′S A CROWD; and the current MIRACLE PETS for PAX-TV, and TODAY’S MAN airing on CNBC. One of America’s most sought-after emcees, Alan has hosted event specials including THE EMMY AWARDS; ABC’s OLYMPIC KICK-OFF GALA; CBC’s NHL AWARDS; ABC’s DISNEY CHRISTMAS and EASTER PARADES; ABC’s and NBC’s FALL PREVIEW SPECIALS; the MISS UNIVERSE, MISS WORLD USA, and MISS USA Pageants; SHOWTIME’S COMEDY ALL-STARS; TV’s FUNNIEST FAMILIES and NBC’s WORLD’S GREATEST MAGIC. His series hosting includes ABC’s ANIMAL CRACK-UPS; the EMMY-nominated PICTIONARY; A&E’s TRAVELQUEST; Game Show Network’s ALL NEW 3′S A CROWD; and the current MIRACLE PETS for PAX-TV, and TODAY’S MAN airing on CNBC.

Media Contact
1-888-HYBTECH (1-888-492-8324)
pr@hybridtechnologies.com

Investor Relations
1-888-669-1808
info@hybridtechnologies.com

Forward-Looking Statement:
This press release might include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations as to future events. However, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release might not occur, and actual results could differ.

[Source: Hybrid Technologies]

Popularity: 4% [?]