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Nov
2008
Naturally the recent economic crisis and questions about petroleum consumption have led to the closing of a number of SUV plants in North America, most predominantly for General Motors. This has naturally led to the fear that with the falling stock market, jobs lost from these plants will not help the ailing economy.
But the recent push in hybrid and alternative-power vehicles has proved a welcome boon for the automotive giant. GM is responding in a very green, and hopefully very economic way with the release of a new series of small “green” cars, including the much-hailed
Nov
2008
(Photo by Redteam on Flickr)
Findings in the latest International Journal of Vehicle Design by researcher Inchul Kim will point out the importance of a well-designed spoiler for reduced fuel use. Kim, a researcher from Metacomp Technologies, worked with researchers from the University of Michigan-Dearborn to test out a prototype spoiler designed to reduce drag and lift on vehicles with flat backs. The minivan used in Kim’s tests showed a 5% reduction in drag and an incredible reduction of 100% in lift when the spoiler was attached.
During the development of the test spoiler, Kim and fellow researchers followed three criteria to improve performance in SUVs and minivans. Kim wanted the spoiler to act as a diffuser and create greater pressure on the back of a vehicle than normal to ensure greater wheel contact with the road. The spoiler was also designed to reduce the amount of drag or force moving opposite the vehicle’s motion. The final criterion for this spoiler was keeping lift, or force moving upward from the ground, to a minimum by reducing the prototype’s profile.
Nov
2008
(Photo by Patrick Boury)
The top hybrids on the market in 2008 possess the mixture of affordability, gas mileage and special features that make buyers look past traditional vehicles. My selection of top hybrid on the market today is the Toyota Prius. Thhe Prius is an obvious choice since it is priced at a reasonable $21,100 MSRP and gets an impressive 48 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city. The underlying reason for my choice of the Prius is the expansive seating area that deflates the myth of the compact hybrid.
The Honda Civic Hybrid is a close runner-up to the Prius, demonstrating the closing gap between Toyota and its competitors in the green vehicle market. The Civic Hybrid gets 40 MPG in the city and costs $23,550 base before special features. Honda offers three versions of the Civic Hybrid priced up to $26,750 with leather seating and navigation to create a luxury experience without the gas-guzzling guilt.
Nov
2008
As the Los Angeles Auto Show looms on the horizon, we should not overlook smaller events like the Euro Bus Expo to find the latest in green transportation. UK-based Optare PLC was one of the featured presenters at the event held in Birmingham from November 4th through November 6th. Optare PLC is burnishing its role as a leading producer of green buses with two new lines, the Solo and Tempo hybrid buses.
The Optare Solo runs on an ENOVA EDU 120 drive system powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. While this model is called electric in Optare’s literature, it uses fuel to power a water heater that provides power to the heating system. Transit officials will be pleased with the Solo’s fast charging capacity, cutting down on time spent at depots rather than running routes. Optare has already received several Solo hybrids with intentions to sell these buses at the beginning of 2009. The hybrid model is the next generation of Optare’s minibus line that is prominent throughout the United Kingdom.
Nov
2008
(Photo by Mike Innocenzi)
In a sign of the rising tide for alternative fuels in America, North Carolina-based Advanced Energy has announced a plan to test out the viability of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The group is working with utility companies Duke Energy and Progress Energy to determine the strain placed on the electrical grid with a test group of PHEVs. Advanced Energy plans to send out 12 Priuses in North Carolina and Florida in the coming months to determine the limits of smart charging with current utility grids.
Each Toyota Prius used in this collaboration will be outfitted with a Connectivity Module created by V2Green. This module will allow each vehicle to interface with the electrical grid through a server also created by V2Green. As the prototypes plug into outlets powered by Duke and Progress, this interface will determine the right amount of energy to meet demand without overburdening the system. The ideal result during this trial is that the PHEVs will be powered without causing diminished power to residential and commercial customers.
Nov
2008
(Photo by Bill Bumgarner)
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new initiative to fund research on hydraulic hybrid technology carried out at universities, corporations and individuals throughout the United States. This initiative will be run through the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality with a total of $1.35 million available and up to $450,000 available for a particular program. The EPA has set a December deadline for applications and intends to pick up to five applicants who have research that could alter America’s energy future.
EPA officials will look primarily for applicants who are willing to work through the agency’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emission Laboratory
Nov
2008
The substantial growth in sales for hybrid cars in the United States has been chronicled by the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA). This organization notes that hybrid car sales figures have risen from 9,367 in 2000 and 47,525 in 2004 to 324,318 in 2007. A closer look at sales figures so far in 2008 shows that hybrids are moving from trend to permanence in the U.S. auto market.
According to the EDTA, 235,283 hybrid cars and trucks have been sold in the United States through September 2008. The leader in sales figures in the hybrid market is Toyota with the industry-leading Prius selling 130,561 in nine months. Toyota has also sold 39,418 Camry hybrids and 16, 572 Highlander hybrids during the same period.
Honda has leveled the most serious challenge to Toyota’s hybrid sales dominance with its Civic hybrid selling 27,597 units in 2008. Lexus has demonstrated that its high-end reputation could be translated to the hybrid market by selling 12,498 units of the 400h so far this year. In contrast, General Motors has only moved 7,096 of its hybrids thus far as its hybrid vehicle program is in its infancy.
Nov
2008
The familiar brown trucks that deliver packages from Maine to California will be getting a tad greener by early 2009. UPS has ordered seven hybrid hydraulic vehicles (HHVs) from Eaton to be deployed between early 2009 and spring 2010. This order comes on the heels of a recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and UPS highlighting the benefits of a two-year prototype run in the Detroit area. The company’s HHV order makes it the first major parcel carrier to adopt HHVs as a part of its regular fleet.
The UPS/EPA report cited a 45% increase in fuel efficiency for the prototype HHV compared to the company’s fleet of standard diesel trucks. Eaton and EPA had tested the HHV with a fuel savings of 70% in preliminary lab testing. UPS executives feel that this increase in fuel efficiency as well as a potential 30% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions could be achieved in its standard routes. While the 45% figure seems a bit high for the HHV prototype, UPS could realize major financial savings if the HHV gets anywhere near that figure.
Nov
2008
The Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) has funded a report entitled “The Potential Role for Corn Ethanol in Meeting the Energy Needs of the United States in 2016-2030” to dig corn ethanol from the news trash heap. The report’s executive statement notes a concern by corn growers and ethanol proponents that corn ethanol has become “old news” with the rise of cellulosic ethanol. Economist Ross Korves and a group of farm experts wrote the report on behalf of the farm lobby group.
The report highlights the three variables that will make corn ethanol a necessity for a future America that is fuel independent. Korves notes that corn yields and accompanying ethanol creation will increase in the future which will decrease the use of fossil fuel to bring ethanol to the market. The report also notes that increased production will lead to greater efficiency which will decrease nitrogen oxide emissions. Finally, Korves notes that ethanol producers will develop better practices and use improved machinery to increase the amount of ethanol taken per bushel.
Nov
2008
The SmartGauge will be able to display four sets of information depending on the needs of the driver. The basic screen is the Inform level which includes fuel levels and battery strength for highway driving. Drivers can flip up to the Enlighten screen if they need information on the electrical drive system that reduces fuel use. Ford has also added an Engage screen to measure engine and battery output as well as an Empower screen with measurements of energy use by accessories. The automaker worked with IDEO and Smart Design to ensure that all four levels show fuel economy, gear data and trip information that is invaluable to a good driving experience.
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