News

EPA GhG Inventory Shows Transportation Emissions Down 5.7% in 2008
The draft report of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual inventory of greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions in the US shows that CO2 emissions from the transportation sector dropped 5.7% in 2008 from the year before—the largest annual change in either absolute or percentage terms recorded between 1990 and 2008. The Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2008, prepared by the EPA in collaboration with experts from other federal agencies, tracks annual greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2008 at the national level. The report also indicates that in 2008, overall greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 2.9%. The EPA largely attributed the decrease in transportation sector emissions in 2008—and the downward trend in overall emissions—to a decrease in demand for transportation fuels spurred by the decline in economic activity and the increased price of petroleum- and diesel-based fuels. Within the transportation sector at that time, light-duty vehicles represented 62% of CO2 emissions, medium- and heavy-duty trucks 22%, commercial aircraft 7%, and other sources 9%.
Source: Draft of EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory Shows Overall GHG Emissions Down By 2.9% in 2008; Transportation Emissions Down 5.7% in Largest Annual Change Recorded Since 1990, Green Car Congress

Toyota to Support European Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trial
Toyota will supply five hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to a German hydrogen fuel trial in 2011—and has announced plans to commercialize hydrogen power by “around 2015.” The Japanese firm has become a new automotive partner in the German-based Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), which aims to promote sustainable mobility though the supply and development of a hydrogen fuel. Founded in 2002, CEP is an international consortium that counts BMW, Daimler, Ford, GM/Opel, Linde, Shell, TOTAL, and Volkswagen among its partners. Its goal is to provide evidence that it is possible for consumers to use hydrogen for road transportation. The German government is investing around two billion euros (US$2.7 billion) in fueling stations and a supply network to support the program. CEP partners are setting up ‘CO2-free’ and hydrogen filling stations in a ‘hydrogen highway’ network between Berlin and Hamburg. Toyota will offer five of its FCHV-adv hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicles to the German trial by 2011. “Toyota aims at the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles around 2015. To achieve this goal a hydrogen charging infrastructure is necessary, so close tie-ups between car manufacturers and infrastructure companies are of vital importance," said Tadashi Arashima, President and CEO, Toyota Motor Europe, in a press release.
Source: Toyota to commercialize hydrogen power by 2015, Which? News

Study: Consumers Want Green Vehicles to Offer More Than Fuel Savings
While interest in hybrid and electric vehicles may be growing, consumers do not see ‘green’ or fuel savings as the only purchasing factors and are demanding more from automakers, according to a new Accenture study. The survey of 1,850 consumers in Germany, France, Italy, Canada and the US, showed that six out of 10 consumers are more likely to buy a hybrid or electric vehicle only when it is superior to gasoline-only models in every way. So while automakers are increasingly focused on addressing the demand for greater fuel efficiency and economy, they should also address those areas that continue to influence the consumer, such as cost, ride, performance, style, maintenance, and in-vehicle services, says Accenture. ‘Green’ is not enough by itself, as only 36% of respondents cited higher fuel prices as a reason to buy. Among the findings of the study: 42% percent of the respondents said they are likely to buy a hybrid or electric auto in the next two years—most of these (80%) are more likely to buy hybrids than all-electric vehicles; about half would pay nothing more for a hybrid or electric car compared to a fuel-only vehicle; and around 75% desire a payback time for a hybrid or electric car purchase to be five years or less.
Source: Consumers Want Green Vehicles to Offer More Than Fuels Savings, Accenture Finds, Accenture Newsroom

Daimler, BYD to Build Electric Cars in China
Together with the Chinese group Build Your Dreams (BYD), Daimler said it has agreed to develop an electric car for the Chinese market. A new brand would be created for the vehicle and the construction of a Chinese technology center was included in the deal. Daimler is to bring its expertise in electric cars to the venture, while BYD would add its battery technology to the company. Daimler is relatively new to the field of low-emissions vehicles, but the maker of Mercedes Benz is trying to catch up with the launch this year of electric versions of its Smart city car and small Class A series. In 2011, BYD plans to introduce its e6 electric vehicle in North America and Europe. “Electric vehicles are especially well-suited for urban driving. With its many metropolitan areas, China has the potential to be among the world’s largest markets for zero-emission vehicles,” said Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche and BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu in a statement.
Source: Daimler, BYD to Build Electric Car, Industry Week

Homebuilder Will Wire New Homes For Electric Car Charging Stations
One of the nation's largest homebuilders has begun offering to prewire homes for electric car charging stations. Los Angeles-based KB Home, which has operations in 10 states, said it will offer the feature on custom-built homes, easing the future installation of vehicle charging stations. Several major automakers are rolling out plug-in hybrid or fully electric cars in the next two years. Coming late this year are Nissan Motor's fully electric Leaf and General Motors' rechargeable Chevrolet Volt that can run on battery power or electricity generated by a small internal combustion engine. Both cars must be charged, and a higher-voltage charging station at home could make the process go more quickly than charging from a standard home outlet. The move comes after KB Home's market surveys showed that buyers want energy efficient features that save them money.
Source: KB Homes offers wiring for car charging stations, BusinessWeek

2010 Geneva Motor Show: Green Car Round Up
Green Car Reports offers consumers a list of the green cars debuting at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show that are scheduled for actual production, as opposed to concept vehicles:

The 2012 Audi A8 Hybrid is a full-size aluminum-framed luxury sedan that draws power from a 2.0-liter gasoline engine paired with a 34-kilowatt electric motor to deliver a combined 245 horsepower. Audi says performance is equivalent to the standard V-6 model of the A8, but the A8 Hybrid can run solely on electric power up to 40mph and for more than 1 mile.

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid utilizes supercharging to derive 333 horsepower from a 3.0-liter V-6 engine paired with a 34-kilowatt electric motor that sits between the engine and Porsche's eight-speed automatic. Porsche says its Cayenne S Hybrid accelerates on battery power alone up to 37 mph.  

The 2012 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid will use a 328-horsepower, 3.0-liter supercharged direct-injected V-6 engine mated to a 34-kilowatt electric motor mounted between the engine and the transmission.

The 2011 Toyota Auris Hybrid will emit 17% less carbon dioxide and use about 20% less fuel than the standard Auris (which replaced the Toyota Corolla hatchback in Europe in 2007), says Toyota. The new Auris Hybrid model has just gone into production in the UK, although the compact hatchback hybrid may not be marketed in the United States.
Source: 2010 Geneva Motor Show: New Green Production Cars, Green Car Reports

Waste Authority Uses Biomethane to Power Fleet Vehicles
The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio’s (SWACO) Green Energy Center is successfully turning landfill methane gas from decomposing trash into compressed natural gas (CNG) for use in cars and trucks. SWACO’s Franklin County Landfill harvests the methane as trash breaks down, then the Green Energy Center cleans the gas to pipeline quality and compresses it for vehicle use. This renewable fuel has already been put to use fueling a variety of SWACO’s fleet vehicles including CNG-powered Honda Civics, light- to medium-duty Chevy and Ford pickup trucks, and a recycling collections truck. SWACO is now adding a new purpose-built waste collection truck with a dedicated CNG engine to its fleet. Phase One of the center can produce 250,000 gasoline gallon equivalents of CNG at full capacity, which has the same benefits as removing the annual emissions of 6,503 passenger vehicles, or reducing CO2 emissions equal to 82,577 barrels of oil or 4,030,423 gallons of gasoline, according to EPA estimates. When completed, Phase Two of the center will utilize all of the landfill gas available and have a capacity of 5 to 10 million gasoline gallon equivalents.
Source: SWACO adds CNG powered vehicle to fleet, American Recycler

Europcar Pre-Orders 500 Renault Electric Vehicles
European vehicle rental company Europcar has pre-ordered 500 Renault electric vehicles for delivery in Europe’s largest cities as of the third quarter of 2011. The order follows a partnership agreement designed to promote zero-emission mobility solutions, which Europcar and Renault signed at the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Through a rollout targeting its rental outlets in Europe's largest cities, Europcar is set to offer the new Renault Zero Emission range from 2011 in the short-term rental market. “Europcar reaches a decisive point in bringing electric vehicles into the rental market. With the addition to its fleet of the Renault Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. models from 2011 and then of the Zoe Z.E. in 2012, Europcar is giving substance even more tangibly to the commitments set forth in its Charter for the Environment,” stated Rafael Girona, Chief Operating Officer of Europcar Groupe. “Renault firmly believes that the leverage created by short-term rentals will help to drive adoption of electric vehicles by individual customers, in addition to its distribution network,” commented Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Senior Vice President, Renault's Corporate Sales Division.
Source: Europcar pre-orders 500 electric vehicles from Renault, coming to rental fleets in 2011, Green AutoBlog

Fiat Dominates European CO2 Emission Reduction Rankings
For the third year running, Fiat Automobiles has logged the lowest average value for CO2 emissions of cars sold in 2009 among Europe’s best-selling automotive brands. According to automotive research provider JATO, Fiat’s vehicles achieved average CO2 emissions of 127.8 g/km in 2009, outranking Toyota (130.1 g/km), Peugeot (133.6 g/km), Renault (137.5 g/km), Citroen (137.9 g/km), Ford (140.0 g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (148.9 g/km), Volkswagen (150.4 g/km), AUDI (160.9 g/km) and Mercedes (176.4 g/km). Fiat says it’s achievement is the result of a long-term strategy based on a two-pronged approach: implementing technological solutions aimed at containing consumption and emissions, and raising the awareness of motorists to spur a more responsible, eco-compatible use of their car. Fiat particularly acknowledges the role of natural gas in emissions reduction since its adoption by the company as a vehicle fuel over ten years ago. To date, Fiat has sold 350,000 natural gas vehicles and has a wide range of models to meet all mobility needs.
Source: Fiat Dominates European CO2 Emission Reduction Rankings, NGV Global

EPA and CARB Certify Baytech CNG Vans and Pickup Trucks
Baytech Corporation has announced that its dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled General Motors full-size vans and pickups have obtained 2010 emissions certifications from both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The government agencies awarded the low emissions certifications to several GMC and Chevy vehicles equipped with Baytech 6.0L CNG engines. Certifications went to the 2010 Chevy Express and GMC Savanna 2500 and 3500 passenger and cargo vans, and to the 2010 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD pickup trucks. Additionally, Baytech has obtained EPA certification for dual fuel (CNG or gasoline) versions of the 2010 pickups that are available in states that do not require CARB certification. “With these newly certified CNG systems Baytech continues its long track record of providing a large portfolio of extremely clean, high performance CNG vehicles and engines to customers in all 50 states” said Richard Turner, Baytech’s Vice President.
Source: EPA and CARB Certify Baytech CNG Vans and Pickup Trucks, US Gas Vehicles

Research: Biomethane Can Produce 120% Less GHG Emissions than Gasoline
Renewable biogas—or biomethane—from refuse produces 95% less greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline, according to a new research report from Sweden, a nation that regularly uses biomethane to fuel its natural gas vehicles (NGVs). Furthermore, the research indicates that a few simple improvements to a typical biomethane plant could cause that figure to rise to 120%—making biomethane more than climate neutral. A research group at Lund University, working on behalf of the Swedish Energy Agency, calculated the figures after analyzing a typical Swedish biogas plant. The nation has about 20 similar plants, all producing biomethane for use in cars and other vehicles—about 65% of the gas used in NGVs in Sweden today is biomethane. “The plant we have studied is fairly representative of an average biogas plant that processes gas from waste and manure”, said Mikael Lantz, a doctoral student in Environmental and Energy Systems Studies at Lund University. “In our study, we have calculated emissions for the entire production chain, and included both direct and indirect emissions. What is particular to our study is that we have included indirect factors that have not previously been taken into account, for example how the ground is affected when mineral fertilizer is replaced with bio-fertilizer.” The new analysis from Lund surpasses previous findings that indicated biomethane produces 80% lower emissions than gasoline.
Source: Biogas Climate Benefit Greater Than Previously Thought, Science Daily

British Government to Give £5,000 Grants for Electric Cars
As of next year, the British government will provide consumers with grants worth £5,000 ($7,668) against the cost of purchasing an all-electric or plug-in hybrid car. The Department for Transport’s Plug-in Car Grant will be available across Britain for both private and business fleet buyers from January 2011, by which time a range of eligible vehicles should be on sale. The grants can be used to offset up to 25% of the purchase price of an "ultra-low carbon" vehicle, up to a maximum amount of £5,000. Only battery electric, plug-in hybrids with emissions of less than 75 g/km, or hydrogen fuel cell cars will be eligible for part of the £230 million total fund. The electric vehicles must have a range of at least 70 miles, while hybrids must be able to run for at least 10 miles without using fuel, and all vehicles must be able to go faster than 60 miles per hour. The government also plans to spend £30 million on a network of electric vehicle hubs, called Plugged-In Places, in car parks, supermarkets and selected streets. A total of 11,000 recharging points will be set up over the next three years, with London, Milton Keynes and North East England getting the first recharging areas. The program is a key part of British efforts to cut emissions of climate-warming carbon from transport, which accounts for about a fifth of the country's total emissions.
Source: UK govt to pay 25 pct of electric car price, Reuters

GM Continues Drive for Market Share in India’s Massive NGV Market
As part of GM’s strategy to increase market share in India, GM India launched its new environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient compressed natural gas (CNG) Chevrolet Aveo at the recent 2010 India Auto Expo. Introducing more CNG models is part of GM India’s strategy to take advantage of the nation’s massive natural gas vehicle (NGV) growth potential. India currently has the fifth largest fleet of natural gas vehicles in the world but also holds the highest NGV growth potential in the world with over 220 cities planned for CNG development via a nationwide distribution pipeline. By 2012, India plans to have a CNG pipeline that will stretch 12,000 km, connect 15 states and reach a population of 160,000,000 people. “GM will continue to remain aggressive in India in order to take advantage of opportunities as they arise,” said Mr. Karl Slym, President & Managing Director, General Motors India in a press release last year.
Source: New Chevrolet Aveo CNG Continues GM India’s Drive for Market Share. NGV Global

ZAP Receives Order for 100 New Electric SUVs for Korean Market
US-based electric vehicle provider ZAP has received a purchase order for 100 electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) from Korean-based Samyang Optics Co. Ltd. The vehicles will be built through ZAP’s partnership with China auto manufacturer Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd. ZAP recently entered a commercial agreement with Zhejiang Jonway to produce cars, SUVs, and other electric vehicles in China for domestic and global distribution. The Korean order comes as Samyang, known for its camera lenses, begins to expand into the electric vehicle market, an area supported by the Korean government. Korea has announced an investment of 400 billion won (US$342.6 million) by 2014 for electric vehicle market development. The target market in Korea for ZAP’s electric version of Jonway’s A380 5-door SUV is intra-campus transportation for large government, military, corporate and university campuses. Samyang plans to eventually manufacture the electric SUVs domestically. “This initial purchase order is phase one of our business plan in introducing ZAP's electric vehicles to Korea,” said Samyang co-CEO Christopher Kang, MD.
Source: ZAP Receives Order for 100 New Electric SUVs from Samyang Optics, Green Car Congress

Mumbai to Host Large Scale Hydrogen-Enriched Natural Gas Bus Trial
India’s natural gas distributor GAIL (India) Ltd is to join with an Australian firm Eden Energy Ltd (Eden) in what could be the largest trial of a hydrogen-enriched blend of natural gas (HCNG) for transport. Describing the trial as commercial in scale, Eden says the project is designed to reduce pollution levels from India’s massive public transport bus fleets. The trial is expected to see between 50-70 buses on the streets of Mumbai, a city of some 16 million people, by the end of this year. Eden will also install an HCNG refueling station and associated infrastructure at a central Mumbai bus depot. The buses will be fueled by Hythane, a proprietary blend of natural gas enriched with 15-20% hydrogen developed by the US subsidiary of Perth-based Eden. Hythane has been shown to reduce harmful emissions and greenhouse gases from gas-powered vehicles by up to 50% while increasing their efficiency by up to 15%, says Eden. Eden’s Executive Chairman, Greg Solomon, said the demonstration project will be the largest Hythane project ever undertaken in the world. “The fuel has been trialled extensively for more than 15 years in several countries including Canada and the United States but this is the first project to involve a fleet of this size and in a trial designed to produce a commercially viable outcome,” Mr. Solomon said.
Source: GAIL and Eden Unite for Hydrogen-Enriched Natural Gas Bus Trial, NGV Global