Navistar today announced it will receive more than $37 million in federal funding to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to pioneer new fuel efficiency and emissions-reducing technologies. The goal of the project is to develop a “Super Truck” featuring a 50 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
“Navistar is proud of its fuel efficiency leadership and we’re delighted to work with the DOE on a project that will improve truck and trailer aerodynamics and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Dee Kapur, president, Navistar Truck Group. “The International® ProStar® is currently the industry’s Class 8 leader in fuel efficiency and aerodynamics and this project positions Navistar to take its leadership to the next level.”
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc., today unveiled the FT-CH dedicated hybrid concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The FT-CH is a concept that would address Toyota’s stated strategy to offer a wider variety of conventional hybrid choices to its customers, as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids (PHVs) and battery electrics (BEVs) in model year 2012, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) in 2015 in global markets.
The CH stands for compact hybrid as in compact class and it’s a concept that can best be defined by comparing it with the mid-size class Prius. The FT-CH captures the spirit and functionality of a car that thrives in the inner-city environment; sized right to be nimble, responsive and maneuverable.
At an event today in Columbus, Indiana, Secretary Chu announced the selection of nine projects totaling more than $187 million to improve fuel efficiency for heavy-duty trucks and passenger vehicles. The funding includes more than $100 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and with a private cost share of 50%, will support nearly $375 million in total research, development, and demonstration projects across the country. The nine winners have stated their projects will create over 500 jobs, primarily researchers, engineers, and managers who will develop these new technologies. By 2015, the projects expect to create over 6,000 jobs—many in manufacturing and assembly.
Magna International announced today it will join the ranks of companies displaying at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, a first for the world’s most diverse automotive supplier.
The company’s exhibit will be located in Michigan Hall from January 11-15 as part of the EcoXperience ride & drive track and alternative energy showcase. The exhibit, which will highlight green-car technologies from across Magna’s operating units, will also introduce E-Car Systems, Magna’s newly created global operating unit that serves as an integrator to Magna’s broad range of electrification capabilities.
Ricardo, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Ricardo plc, the leading independent provider of technology, product innovation and engineering solutions to the world’s automotive, defense, transport and new energy industries, has in collaboration with PEP Stations LLC, unveiled a new electric vehicle charging station at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Detroit’s Cobo Center.
The new PEP Station is aimed at building a solid charging infrastructure as the electric vehicle market begins to grow. Similar to a standard fuel pump, the PEP Station allows drivers of electric vehicles to access electricity via an access card or credit card. When a vehicle connects to the PEP Station’s 220V power supply, the PEP Station recognizes a connection and the LCD screen prompts the user to accept the price per hour of connectivity, if payment by credit card is desired, or swipe an access card. The station then asks the user to select the amount of charging time required and will begin charging or ask for a credit card to be swiped for authorization. When the vehicle’s battery has been fully charged, or the time selected elapses, the station automatically discontinues the electricity. If the user does not desire to fully charge the vehicle, or wishes to discontinue the charge prior to the selected time expiring, they simply disconnect the power cord. The entire process is as easy as traditional methods of fueling vehicles, but done in a clean, eco-conscious manner.
Ford Motor Company will introduce nine new or upgraded engines and six new transmissions in North America in 2010 as part of a five-year effort to overhaul its entire global powertrain portfolio. The push began in 2008 and continues through 2013 and includes 60 new or significantly upgraded engines, transmissions and transaxles globally over the five year period.
One of the advanced and fuel-efficient North American powertrains is the 2012 Ford Focus’ all-new normally aspirated 2.0-liter direct fuel injection engine, the first of its kind in a Ford vehicle in North America.
Bertrand Piccard, President of Solar Impulse and internationally renowned lecturer will be presenting his project to fly around the world in a solar airplane during the World Future Energy Summit taking place in Abu Dhabi, 18-21 January 2010.
Bertand Piccard will be among the speakers’ of a session at the World Future Energy Summit entitled “Achieving the unachievable: around the world in a solar plane”. Panelists will include Duncan Hedditch, Chief Executive EMAL; Peter Gutman, Global Head, Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance, Standard Chartered Bank or Katrina Landis, Group Vice President, BP Alternative Energy to name a few.
Exactly three years since the day the Chevrolet Volt concept car debuted, GM manufactured the first advanced lithium-ion battery for a mass-marketed electric vehicle at GM’s Brownstown Battery Pack Assembly Plant. GM announced last August a $43-million investment to prepare the 160,000-square-foot, landfill-free facility for production of lithium-ion battery packs for the Volt and other electric vehicles with extended-range capabilities. The plant is part of a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors called GM Subsystems Manufacturing LLC.In just five months, the Brownstown plant was converted from an empty facility to a production-ready battery manufacturing site. Continue reading The First Lithium-ion Battery Manufactured for the Chevy Volt
According to a recent study by Öko-Trend the Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID, the B 180 NGT and the smart mhd (micro hybrid drive) are the most environmentally friendly automobiles in their class.
As an institute for environmental research, Öko-Trend has developed criteria for the objective evaluation of the environmental compatibility of consumer goods. The experts at this neutral institute apply high standards during the assessment of automobiles. The Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID, the B 180 NGT and the smart mhd (micro hybrid drive) have achieved results that are well above the average. In the view of the Institute, they not only deliver excellent results in terms of fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and noise, but also excel by virtue of environmentally compatible production, choice of materials and logistics. They also feature particularly environmentally compatible systems such as a start/stop function and hybrid or natural gas drive.
Renault and Athlon Car Lease International have announced their cooperation in the joint delivery of Electric Vehicle (EV)-solutions to their mutual clients.
Renault and Athlon have agreed to offer their customers innovative solutions developed jointly and involving the staff and networks of both partners. Athlon supports Renault’s EV project. Constituting a clean means of transportation, electric vehicles are providing an increasingly attractive solution to changing current mobility requirements. According to Renault research, 80% of all Europeans currently travel less than 60 kilometers per day. Athlon’s and Renault’s partnership aims at making zero-emission vehicles available to as many people as possible,starting in 2011.
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Navistar today announced it will receive more than $37 million in federal funding to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to pioneer new fuel efficiency and emissions-reducing technologies. The goal of the project is to develop a “Super Truck” featuring a 50 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
