Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[REPORT: Tesla Motors planning IPO "soon"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-tesla-motors-planning-ipo/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-tesla-motors-planning-ipo/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-tesla-motors-planning-ipo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tesla Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors about Tesla's plan to go public have been circulating since 2008, but a down stock market seemed to put a damper on the start-up's IPO. Now, the word on the street from Reuters is that Tesla is planning to go public "soon." When might that be, exactly? Who knows. A source told Reuters it could happen "any day," but Stephan Dolezalek, managing director of VantagePoint Venture Partners and a Tesla investor, said in September that it's unlikely to happen in 2009.

For its part, Tesla continues to offer little guidance on the report other than to dismiss it as "rumor or speculation." We shall see...



[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Tesla Motors planning IPO "soon" originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingipoteslatesla ipotesla motorstesla motors ipoTeslaIpoTeslaMotorsTeslaMotorsIpoFri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Aptera Update: Backstory uglier than we knew?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/aptera-update-backstory-uglier-than-we-knew/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/aptera-update-backstory-uglier-than-we-knew/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/aptera-update-backstory-uglier-than-we-knew/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge

Electric automaker Aptera has had a very tough week, starting with news of a boardroom showdown last weekend over money troubles - which were then walked back a bit. During the week, we've been hearing that the problems run deeper than we expected, and Karen Pease from Gas 2.0 believes she has put more pieces of the tale together.

First, it's important to know about Laura Marion, who is CFO at Aptera, but she also worked at Delphi, where she was cited by the SEC (PDF) for massive accounting fraud and ended up paying a $40,000 fine. Marion came to Aptera with Paul Wilbur, now Aptera's CEO, who had previously worked at ASC and Saleen (pretty much as those companies were going bankrupt). Wilbur was behind the firings last week, and the Gas 2.0 writeup (a must read) cites an anonymous employee who was liveblogging the recent firings saying that, "Paul Wilbur has just sacrificed the company to line his own pockets. Crap, I'm crying. [...] Seems to think suspending operations til govt$$ come in will make him a rich man. So sad for [Aptera founder] Steve Fambro, he's a great guy being ruined."

We asked Wilbur for a statement, and he sent AutoblogGreen a replying saying:

We have assembled a world-class team that has the full support of our board. We and our board are confident that we have the people and resources needed to bring the most innovative electric vehicle to market as soon as possible.

This story is not over, not by a long shot.

Gallery: Aptera 2e final design renderings


[Source: Gas 2.0]

Aptera Update: Backstory uglier than we knew? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apteraaptera 2eaptera motorsAptera2eApteraMotorsbreakingfambrolaura marionLauraMarionpaul wilburPaulWilburstebe fambroStebeFambrosteve fambroSteveFambroFri, 20 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenlings: What's the difference between kW and kWh?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/greenlings-whats-the-difference-between-kw-and-kwh/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/greenlings-whats-the-difference-between-kw-and-kwh/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/greenlings-whats-the-difference-between-kw-and-kwh/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Understanding electric and plug-in vehicles requires a slightly different knowledge set than what mechanics and drivers have needed to know for decades. One of the most obvious new concepts is the large battery pack and electric motor added to the car. The capacity values of these devices are be written using kW (kilowatt) and kWh (kilowatt hours), but don't think that a 90 kW motor is anything like a 90 kWh battery pack. That little h makes a big difference. Exactly what is the difference? Well, that's what we investigate in this week's Greenlings. Follow us after the jump to learn more.


[Sources: Idaho National Lab]
Photo by Vince Alongi. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Continue reading Greenlings: What's the difference between kW and kWh?

Greenlings: What's the difference between kW and kWh? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>greenlingskilowattkilowatt hourskilowatthourKilowattHourskwkwhThu, 19 Nov 2009 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla Roadster donates tire squeal sounds to two new video games]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/tesla-roadster-donates-tire-squeal-sounds-to-two-new-video-games/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/tesla-roadster-donates-tire-squeal-sounds-to-two-new-video-games/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/tesla-roadster-donates-tire-squeal-sounds-to-two-new-video-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tesla Roadster audio recording - Click above for image gallery

What does it take to make a video game these days? A lot of time and effort, that's what. For the upcoming Forza and Project Gotham Racing racing titles, the attention to detail going into these games includes getting the sound of the all-electric sports car - electric motor, tires, etc. - just right. To that end, audio engineers from Microsoft Game Studios spent some time with Tom Burt and his Roadster #203, recently, with mics sticking off the car at all angles. The engineers were excited because the all-electric drivetrain allowed them the opportunity to record tire skids and squeals without an ICE right there adding extra sounds. Burt had a good time:

The Roadster was a lot of fun to push hard and to deliberately get out of shape and recover. Handling was fun and predictable. As expected, given the stock suspension settings and tire sizes, the car moderately understeers or "pushes." I kept adjusting tire pressures, lowering the front pressures and letting the rears stay high as they heated, but could not eliminate the "push." So, I used the e-brake to initiate "oversteer"spins and give the team the more aggressive tire squeals they were looking for. Like most mid-weight cars, once you get the car to over-rotate, it spins quickly. What a ton of fun.

The car almost reached its limits, with the motor overheating twice. You can read more about it - and hear the audio - over at Tesla's blog. A Tesla Motors vehicle will also be available in Gran Turismo 5 and the Roadster's electric motor provided sound for the Batpod in The Dark Knight.


Gallery: Tesla Roadster audio recording for video games


[Source: Tesla Motors]

Tesla Roadster donates tire squeal sounds to two new video games originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forzaproject gotham racingproject gotham racing 4ProjectGothamRacingProjectGothamRacing4tesla forzatesla motorstesla project gothamTeslaForzaTeslaMotorsTeslaProjectGothamtom burtTomBurtWed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford Fusion wins <i>Motor Trend</i> Car of the Year award]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Ford Fusion Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the first time ever, Motor Trend announced the winner of its annual Car of the Year award this afternoon live via webcast. Though the field of 23 contenders was highly competitive this year (follow the jump for a complete list), we guessed immediately that the winner was a Ford as soon as the webcast came online. How'd we know? The fact they were broadcasting the announcement from Ford World Headquarters in Detroit was a not-so-subtle clue. The Fusion, Taurus and Mustang were all in the running, but it was Ford's redesigned mid-size sedan, the Fusion, that took home the coveted Golden Calipers.

In retrospect, the choice is a solid one and not all that surprising. The Fusion was extensively reworked for the 2010 model year and features a new exterior design, new models and new powertrains. Ford offers a four-cylinder model, two strong V6 options and a full-on parallel hybrid variant, which means buyers should have no trouble finding a Fusion that fits their needs. And indeed they have, as the Fusion has already broken its own yearly sales record - with two months left to go.

Like MT, we're big fans of the Fusion here at Autoblog, and even have high hopes that one day it could be the domestic car that knocks the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord from atop their perches as the best selling cars in the States. That said, this Ford still has a long way to go. Toyota has sold nearly twice as many Camry models as the Fusion so far this year, and the Accord and Nissan Altima are still flashing their taillights at Ford's CoTY winner. It's not just demand, as Ford doesn't even have the production capacity at the moment to match Camry sales, and it doesn't help that the Mercury Milan siphons off a few potential Fusion customers, as well.

Nevertheless, this is less about what the Fusion could be in the future than what it is today: the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Congrats to Ford and the Fusion team.





[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award

Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford fusion2010FordFusionbreakingcar of the yearCarOfTheYearcotyfordford fusionford fusion cotyFordFusionFordFusionCotyfusionfusion car of the yearfusion cotyfusion hybridfusion sportFusionCarOfTheYearFusionCotyFusionHybridFusionSportmotor trendmotor trend car of the yearMotorTrendMotorTrendCarOfTheYearTue, 17 Nov 2009 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Aptera update: Vacation instead of ousters?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/aptera-update-vacation-instead-of-ousters/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/aptera-update-vacation-instead-of-ousters/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/aptera-update-vacation-instead-of-ousters/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We're still waiting for an official response from Aptera Motors on the ouster of top company members Steve Fambro, Chris Anthony and others, but Popular Mechanics has been able to get a bit more information about the "boardroom showdown" and it may not be as bad as first rumored.

First, it seems that Fambro has not left. Instead, he is making use of his saved vacation time. As head of the company's advanced concepts group, his job isn't directly tied to delivering Job One, and chief marketing officer Marques McCammon told PM that, "We needed to reduce our burn rate on anything not associated with getting a production vehicle out the door." Fambro remains on the board and will come back to the company next year after the final round of funding closes. He told PM that, "Some folks were let go, and since they hadn't seen me around - they put two and two together and made a fairly large and incorrect assumption." Fambro also made clear that the evolving design of Aptera's first vehicle is all for the best.

Anthony, for his part, was not asked to leave and is instead focusing on his other companies, Epic Boats and battery management systems company Flux Power. So, everyone cool now?


Gallery: Aptera 2e final design renderings


[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Aptera update: Vacation instead of ousters? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2eapteraaptera 2eaptera motorsAptera2eApteraMotorsbreakingchris anthonyChrisAnthonySteve FambroSteveFambrotyp 1typ 2Typ1typ2Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[AirRay concept scoops the competition with four turbines, solar panels and V2G]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/airray-concept-scoops-the-competition-with-four-turbines-solar/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/airray-concept-scoops-the-competition-with-four-turbines-solar/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/airray-concept-scoops-the-competition-with-four-turbines-solar/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Fans of the normal-car-as-EV style of the Coda Sedan, you've been warned. What we have here is the AirRay, a totally unusual vehicle that (theoretically, at least) uses solar, wind and plug-in power to decrease gasoline consumption. It's also a little bit crazy.

The giant air scoops on the hood and rear of this car are used to power the air turbines - three in front, one in back - that generate energy for some sort of unspecified battery system. Said battery can also be charged using a plug, and the whole apparatus is Vehicle to Grid (V2G) capable. On the roof, a "solar honeycomb-membrane panel" sucks up rays for additional power.

The AirRay is the product of EarthSure Renewable Energy Corp., which bills itself as "an American corporation innovating technologies to produce energy in a clean and affordable way." What are they all about? Well, "Our goal is to offer a cost-effective way for all businesses to use Green Energy, regardless of size or industry. We are on the cutting edge of compliance with America's Green Initiatives as they relate to the energy and environmental provisions in the Stimulus Plan. Sounds like this car will be ready ... never, but there's a video of the rendering in action after the jump. Thanks to Sean J. for the tip!

[Source: AirRay]

Continue reading AirRay concept scoops the competition with four turbines, solar panels and V2G

AirRay concept scoops the competition with four turbines, solar panels and V2G originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air rayairraysolarv2gvehicle to gridVehicleToGridwindFri, 13 Nov 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Oh, come on: columnist compares driving efficiency with teaching religion]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/oh-come-on-columnist-compares-driving-efficiency-with-teaching/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/oh-come-on-columnist-compares-driving-efficiency-with-teaching/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/oh-come-on-columnist-compares-driving-efficiency-with-teaching/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We've disagreed with Detroit News columnist Manny Lopez in the past, but his most recent column is absurd. At issue is a bill in the Michigan State legislature that would require adding an environmental component to driver education programs. Lopez is against this. OK, fine. But his reasons are illogical. How many wrong points does Lopez make? Let's count, shall we?.

Lopez says that making young student drivers learn about fuel-efficient vehicles, carpooling and public transpiration is "environmental activism." He also believes teaching students these facts won't help them to make better decisions. Uhhh, say what? Is he really arguing that people can make smarter, more informed decisions with less information? We can only assume he employs the same logic when he pens a new opinion column.

Lopez also writes, "Since these courses aren't in the schools and parents have to pay for them out of their own pockets, they shouldn't have to pay for someone else's religion -- and trust me, environmental activism is a religion." BS. Avoiding jackrabbit starts and stops saves fuel. It's also safer to accelerate and decelerate in a responsible manner. Science, not faith, can prove this. Does anyone at the News even read what Lopez writes before it's published?

And then, finally, this: "Most young people don't have the resources to choose what they get to drive, never mind shop around for one that has the 'attributes of a fuel-efficient vehicle.' They're just happy to get behind the wheel of a car, any car. And they're certainly not going to pay much, if any attention, to someone telling them to take the bus when their only goal in life at that moment is driving." No one is forcing young people to go buy a hybrid, no matter what bogeyman Lopez tries to conjure here. Driver training is exactly when we should be teaching young people about the ways that driving style affects fuel economy -- of any vehicle. Do it right and everyone benefits: the new driver saves money over his or her entire driving life, the U.S. imports less fuel. As we move to gasoline alternatives, having a smart right foot is going to be even more important to maximize the electric-only range of plug-in vehicles.

We can only assume that, sometime soon, Lopez will say he believes that green-minded politicians "hate the American auto industry." Oh, wait.


[Source: Detroit News via Green Car Reports]
Photo by Robert Couse-Baker. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Oh, come on: columnist compares driving efficiency with teaching religion originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driver trainingDriverTrainingmanny lopezMannyLopezstudent driverStudentDriverFri, 13 Nov 2009 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you don't like dogs, there's now a new reason to continue avoiding canis domesticus. New Zealanders Robert and Brenda Vale have put forth the hypothesis that the care and feeding of a pooch is more environmentally harmful than rolling in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Those shifty, antisocial felines aren't much better, so don't get any more smug than you already are, cat people. One ten-pound feline's care is the same to the environment as a 3300-pound Volkswagen Golf, the theory goes.

The Vales present this work in their book "Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living." The animals that wind up in dog food burden the land while they're alive, and the amount of goodies that people lavish upon their dogs, from squeaky toy to special grooming sessions also do the equivalent work of burning the rainforest.

The claims have been disputed, of course - no doubt by more than a few dog lovers. The chief researcher for Seattle's Sightline Institute, Clark Williams-Derry, ran some numbers of his own and came up with results that don't square with the Vales. The think-tank scientist calculated that for the Vale's numbers to add up, the average dog would have to eat twice as much as the average person, an idea that is difficult to fathom since people are heavier than most dogs.

The takeaway from all this is simply that dog (and cat) ownership does have an ecological footprint. Like everything else in your life, keeping a pet is intertwined with our insatiable consumerism. The truly concerned will carefully consider where the products and items they purchase for their pets are made, what goes into them, and what that means for the planet. The rest of you will keep letting adorable little Beaufort leaves deposit on our lawns.

[Source: Seattle Times | Image: Andrew H. Walker/Getty]

Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon footprintCarbonFootprintcat friendlyCatFriendlydogdog carbon footprintdog environmentdog friendlyDogCarbonFootprintDogEnvironmentDogFriendlydogsenvironmentenvironment dogenvironment petsenvironmentalenvironmental impactEnvironmentalImpactenvironmentalismenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyEnvironmentDogEnvironmentPetspetpet environmentpet friendlypet ownershipPetEnvironmentPetFriendlyPetOwnershippetsmartThu, 12 Nov 2009 11:46:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2009: Toyota auctioning Aemulus Prius for charity]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/sema-2009-toyota-auctioning-aemulus-prius-for-charity/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/sema-2009-toyota-auctioning-aemulus-prius-for-charity/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/sema-2009-toyota-auctioning-aemulus-prius-for-charity/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Aerius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Five Axis brought two modified Pruis models to SEMA this year, and one of them could be yours. The Aerius (which means "belonging to the air," pictured above) and the Aemulus look similar, but only one is being offered up to charity. The current bid for the Aemulus is $32,500 with 10 days left. Want it sooner? Pony up $50k with Buy It Now and you're ready to roll. The Aemulus is a driveable replica of the Aerius but if you don't like what Five Axis has done, there's nothing stopping you from tuning it even further. Here's hoping that the covered wheels work as advertised (better coefficient of drag!), but we recommend double-checking to make sure that the special leaf tread on the Aerius is safe for everyday driving. Check out the auction here.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Toyota Prius Aerius Concept


Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Prius Chat, Charity Folks]

SEMA 2009: Toyota auctioning Aemulus Prius for charity originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeriusaerius priusaerius semaAeriusPriusAeriusSemapriusprius semaPriusSemaSEMAsema 2009sema priusSema2009SemaPriusThu, 12 Nov 2009 08:05:00 EST<![CDATA[ETA says plug-in cars could "speed climate change" unless we get off coal]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/eta-says-plug-in-cars-could-speed-climate-change-unless-we-get/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/eta-says-plug-in-cars-could-speed-climate-change-unless-we-get/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/eta-says-plug-in-cars-could-speed-climate-change-unless-we-get/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Think that plugging in your vehicle will protect the earth? Sure, this was the message that EPRI and the NRDC sent following a 2008 study that found that, if 60 percent of the U.S. fleet of light vehicles converted to plug-ins by 2050, CO2 emissions would drop by 450 million metric tons annually (the same as taking 82 million cars off the road) while electricity consumption would increase only eight percent.

Not everyone is convinced that plugs are the answer. The Environmental Transport Association in the UK, for example, believes that switching to electric cars could increase the rate of climate change, depending on how the electricity is created. Like the Natural Resources Defense Council report last year that found that PHEVs will add to pollution levels if the grid remains coal-centered, the ETA's statement warns that a shift from gasoline to electrons needs to be accompanied by a change in how we generate our electricity. Looking at how EU rules handles emissions, the ETA found that, if the regulations don't change, "sales of electric cars are likely to result in higher overall CO2 emissions and oil consumption." The ETA's soundbite for the report: if you're using coal to make electricy, then standard hybrids are better than plug-ins.

In the past, the ETA opposed a cash-for-clunkers-like plan in the UK. Each year, the ETA also organizes a Green Transport Week.

[Source: ETA]

Continue reading ETA says plug-in cars could "speed climate change" unless we get off coal

ETA says plug-in cars could "speed climate change" unless we get off coal originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coalcoal plantcoal plug incoal powercoal power plantcoal powered carCoalPlantCoalPlugInCoalPowerCoalPoweredCarCoalPowerPlantEnvironmental Transport AssociationEnvironmentalTransportAssociationetahybridsplug inplug in hybridplug-inPlugInPlugInHybridpluginsWed, 11 Nov 2009 19:50:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: IEA hiding truth about dwindling oil reserves]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/report-iae-hiding-truth-about-dwindling-oil-reserves/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/report-iae-hiding-truth-about-dwindling-oil-reserves/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/report-iae-hiding-truth-about-dwindling-oil-reserves/#commentsFiled under: ,



How much oil is left in the ground? No one knows precisely, but groups like the International Energy Agency are supposed to offer us a good estimate. Knowing how much oil is left helps set the price of the fuel and also determines how much public and political pressure there is for gasoline alternatives. So, it's kind of big news that a whistleblower says that the IEA has been "deliberately underplaying a looming shortage for fear of triggering panic buying." The unnamed "senior official" told the Guardian that the U.S. was a driving force behind clouding the situation.

The numbers work like this: this year, the IEA said that the world could produce 83 million barrels of oil, then raised that to 105 million. Supporters of the peak oil theory - the idea that the world has already produced at much oil in a year as it ever will and it's all downhill from here - called shenanigans. The whistleblower says that the IEA's 2030 predictions - once claimed to be 120 million barrels but was since downgraded to 105 million, "is much higher than can be justified and the IEA knows this. [...] Even 90m to 95m barrels a day would be impossible but there are fears that panic could spread on the financial markets if the figures were brought down further. And the Americans fear the end of oil supremacy because it would threaten their power over access to oil resources."

The reality of what's available underground is tremendously difficult to know - we've seen all sorts of estimates - but to hide whatever truth you do know from the public is worse than running out, don't you think?

[Source: Guardian]
Photo by johnny choura. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

REPORT: IEA hiding truth about dwindling oil reserves originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Pay-per-mile car insurance might come to California]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/pay-per-mile-car-insurance-might-come-to-california/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The idea of paying for your insurance by the mile is not new. MileMeter, in Texas, offers pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) rates and California has been using mileage brackets to set insurance rates for years. A new, more precise PAYD system is under discussion in California that would give people who drive less a financial incentive to do keep doing so - and maybe convince people on the fence to find an alternative when possible.

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner recently issued regulations on what PAYD mileage verification plans could look like. It's likely that people with PAYD would think twice when getting behind the wheel and combine trips when possible. The Brookings Institution studied PAYD last year and found that driving would drop by eight percent if all U.S. drivers were under a PAYD system. Also, two-thirds of U.S. households would save an average of $270.

MileMeter is looking to expand to California, and MileMeter founder and CEO Chris Gay told the Sacramento Bee that, "Our take is that half the market out there is being overcharged and underserved - and that's who we aim to address." The bigger insurance companies are looking into PAYD, but have not yet decided to offer it in California. This is an idea that easy to implement and, in lieu of higher gasoline taxes, could have a dramatic impact.

[Source: Sacramento Bee via MMN]
Photo by Wouter Kiel. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Pay-per-mile car insurance might come to California originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A big piece of the end-of-life plan for lithium batteries is recycling and there is only one place in North America currently capable of carrying out that procedure. That facility, owned and operated by Toxco Waste Management in southeastern British Columbia, experienced a large fire last Saturday after suffering through a series of explosions. The event, which happened after-hours, seems to have started in a lithium storage building and created an impressive fireworks display for about 45 minutes. No one was hurt and the main facility remained unscathed, though firefighters at the scene couldn't use their hoses to put out the lithium-fire since it is reactive to water. Officials reportedly were told the explosions produced sulphur dioxide and lithium hydroxide emissions. A statement on Toxco's website addressing the incident says, "The fire did not result in any negative impacts to the environment of the surrounding area." British Columbia Environment Ministry officials have visited the site to make their own assessment.

Lithium batteries from across the US and Canada, mostly from phones and laptops, are stored at the site in earth-covered bunkers chilled to -324 degrees. The low temperature is supposed to make the chemicals inert and prevent incidents like this from happening. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation though arson is not suspected. Toxco, which has a recycling agreement with Tesla Motors, has plans to add lithium battery recycling to their pre-existing facility in Ohio. Thanks to Jeff for the tip!

[Source: The Globe and Mail / Vancouver Sun]

Lithium battery recycling facility suffers explosions, fire originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>British ColumbiaBritishColumbiaCanadalithium battery firelithium battery recyclingLithiumBatteryFireLithiumBatteryRecyclingToxcoToxco Waste ManagementToxcoWasteManagementMon, 09 Nov 2009 18:08:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2009: eVARO plug-in hybrid three-wheeler debuts, returns]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/sema-2009-evaro-plug-in-hybrid-three-wheeler-debuts-returns/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/sema-2009-evaro-plug-in-hybrid-three-wheeler-debuts-returns/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/sema-2009-evaro-plug-in-hybrid-three-wheeler-debuts-returns/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


eVaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

If the eVaro from Future Vehicles Technologies pictured above looks familiar, then perhaps you've been following the development of the Alé. A reddish orange Alé, developed by FVT when it still stood for FuelVapor Technologies, was on display at SEMA in 2006. The more things change...

Making its "debut" at SEMA this year, the eVaro was decked out as a golden squid. Then, as now, the car is one of the contenders for the Progressive Automotive X Prize on display at SEMA this year. Over the years, FVT has increased the car's estimated MPG rating from 92 mpg using a pure gasoline engine to 275 mpg (at certain speeds) by shifting the focus from performance to efficiency. FVT added a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the car, which can now go up to 90 miles on battery power alone. The eVaro is still plenty fast, with a 0-60 time under 5 seconds. Even with all of these great numbers, we're still not sure there is a market for 10,000 of these a year, something the Automotive X-Prize is looking for. Nonetheless, we've got to hand it to FVT for their stick-to-itiveness and name-changing ability. Why did they choose eVARO? Because it means "electric vehicle with advanced regenerative braking onboard," of course.



Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2009: eVARO plug-in hybrid three-wheeler debuts, returns originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that hybrid vehicles are more likely to be involved in accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists under certain scenarios. According to state-level accident data, 77 of 8,387 hybrid vehicles (that's .9 percent) were involved in crashes with pedestrians and 48 (.6 percent) were found to have been in accidents with bicyclists.

By way of comparison, 3,578 of 559,703 non-hybrid vehicles (.6 percent) were involved in pedestrian accidents and 1,862 (.3 percent) were involved with bicyclists. Tellingly, the NHTSA's data shows that hybrid vehicles are twice as likely than non-hybirds to be involved in pedestrian or bicyclist accidents at low speeds when the internal combustion engine is not running.

These statistics are not a complete representation of all accidents nationwide, and the NHTSA is quick to point out that additional research is necessary before any final conclusions can be made. Still, this is valuable data that "should serve as a guide when designing future HEV pedestrian and bicyclist crash prevention programs."

[Source: NHTSA - PDF via Consumer Reports]

STUDY: Hybrids more likely to be involved in crashes with pedestrians, bicycles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever wonder what it is that sparks the mind of an entrepreneur? After all, lots of people have big imaginations and great ideas, but only a relatively small number of them actually follow through, create a company and design a product. Of course, we can add Henrik Fisker to that list of entrepreneurs, and we're definitely looking forward to seeing what else springs from his fertile mind.

So, back to the original question. In the case of Henrik Fisker, the inspiration for the Karma extended-range electric car came from none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. Actually, the actor's Prius hybrid, to be specific. Says Fisker:
A couple of years ago it started, by people who were maybe a little ahead of their time. You saw some movie starts like Leonardo DiCaprio buying a Prius... He could have bought any car in the world, and I remember seeing that on television and thinking to myself, you know, when you've got a guy who could buy any Ferrari or Rolls Royce and he's buying a Prius, you know something is changing dramatically.
Interesting little tidbit, no?

[Source: Reuters | Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

Fisker: Leonardo DiCaprio's Prius inspired the Karma originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In some ways, the all-electric Tesla Roadster and the plug-in hybrid Fisker Karma don't compete. The difference in powertrains, which will filter down to the two compaies' lower-cost models, the Tesla Model S and Fisker's Project Nina vehicle, means that slightly different consumers are going to be interested in these cars. In other ways, though, Fisker and Tesla go head-to-head for the luxury green car market, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk isn't afraid to fan the competition flames a bit.

According to Delaware Online, Musk recently told a Delaware audience (really, Delaware?) that, while he hopes Fisker succeeds, he has "some reservations about the feasibility of Fisker's approach." Why? Because "Fisker is very far from overcoming those [engineering obstacles to build an electric car]." Subtle.

This isnt' the first time there's been contention between the two. In courtrooms last year, Fisker and Tesla fought a battle over insider information that ended with "complete vindication" for Fisker. We'll see if this latest dis causes any further comment from Fisker - a company not known for taking it lying down.

[Source: Delaware Online via earth2tech]

REPORT: Elon Musk says Fisker is "very far" from overcoming EV hurdles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elon muskElonMuskfiskerFisker AutomotiveFiskerAutomotivehenrik fiskerHenrikFiskerteslatesla motorsTeslaMotorsSat, 07 Nov 2009 18:41:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Chrysler disbands ENVI group, EV development will continue]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dodge Circuit - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from Reuters, Chrysler has disbanded its ENVI program and integrated the group back into its normal product development organization. Former ENVI head Lou Rhodes will now take the title of group line executive in charge of electric vehicle development and will manage that group for both Chrysler and Fiat. Though we weren't exactly expecting this change, the move isn't entirely unexpected.

At this point, we don't yet know what this reorganization means for the electric vehicles that Chrysler had previously promised to put into production, the first of which was to be the Lotus-based Dodge Circuit that was hopefully supposed to be on the market by late 2010.

Fiat CEO and newly-appointed head of Chrysler Sergio Marchionne said earlier this week during Chrysler's painfully long new product plan presentation that electric vehicles are still a very tough proposition with current battery technology. In fact, the automaker expects that less than two percent of its lineup will be electric by 2014, which would amount to less than 60,000 vehicles per year.


Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV


[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Chrysler disbands ENVI group, EV development will continue originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchryslerchrysler electric carchrysler electric minivanchrysler electric vehiclechrysler electric vehicleschrysler envichrysler evChryslerElectricCarChryslerElectricMinivanChryslerElectricVehicleChryslerElectricVehiclesChryslerEnviChryslerEvdodge circuitDodgeCircuitenvilou rhodeslou rhodes chryslerlou rhodes enviLouRhodesLouRhodesChryslerLouRhodesEnviSat, 07 Nov 2009 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[First Fisker dealership opens in LA, 120 pre-orders already taken]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/first-fisker-dealership-opens-in-la-120-pre-orders-already-take/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/first-fisker-dealership-opens-in-la-120-pre-orders-already-take/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/first-fisker-dealership-opens-in-la-120-pre-orders-already-take/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

Take an old Lexus dealership in Santa Monica, repurpose the showroom to display a Fisker Karma, invite a bunch of plug-in hybrid-loving locals over a grand opening and - boom - you've got yourself a fun night. This is what happened recently in Los Angeles, with about 200 people attending the invite-only grand opening of the Santa Monica Fisker dealership, the first. The car was popular with attendees, some of whom put down deposits once they saw the PHEV in person for the first time.

Dealer Mike Sullivan told Automotive News he already has 120 reservations, including many from impatient celebrities, for the Karma. "There's not a guy here who wants to be second in line. Two-thirds of the people waiting, you would recognize on the cover of a magazine. Yet, we all know it has to be a slow roll-out. It's a startup. There are always issues," he told AN.

Still, Sulllivan said he's confident he can sell up to 15 Karma and Karma S models a month once production starts next year. At least 32 Fisker dealerships are scheduled to open. If each is able to garner the same number of pre-orders as Sullivan's Santa Monica store and sells 15 cars a month - a huge if - that would account for 9,600 Karmas sold in the first year, well over the 7,500 that Fisker plans to sell in the U.S. (global sales are a hoped-for 15,000). Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Gallery: Fisker Karma

fisker_karma006bfisker_karma016image003-fkfisker_karma_1747refisker_karma_1798re-3

[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]

First Fisker dealership opens in LA, 120 pre-orders already taken originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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