Green Car News
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Nearly every major automaker has at least toyed with the idea of introducing a fuel cell powered vehicle sometime in the future. Both Honda and GM have introduced fuel cell vehicles, but on a limited basis for testing purposes. The technology is proven, as drivers of the Honda FCX Clarity GM Fuel Cell powered vehicles have praised the overall refinement of the fuel cell vehicles. However, cost has not been openly discussed. Many believe that fuel cells will eventually find their way into numerous commercial vehicles including uses in vehicles such as transit buses and garbage trucks...
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Detroit Free Press Writer Picks Ford As Frontrunner in Alternative Propulsion Vehicles Amongst Detroit 3Over the past weekend the Detroit Free Press ran an article about electric vehicles. The article focused on the Detroit 3 and their varying approaches to the alternative propulsion category. Surprisingly, the Free Press gives the nod to Ford as the only company out of the three to have the...
Eric Loveday -
2011 Chevrolet Volt Pedestrian Alert System Will Be Driver Controlled
Earlier this morning, we wrote about GM's announcement that engineers developing the 2011 Chevrolet Volt have partnered with the National Federation of the Blind to figure out "a safe level of sound" from the company's first extended-range electric vehicle. Our subsequent interview with Tony...
John Voelcker -
Ford, UDM Retrain Automotive Engineers to Compete in New Era of Electric Vehicles
My alma mater, the University of Detroit Mercy, has now partnered with Ford to retrain automotive engineers to develop electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. While this training program was developed to support Ford's desire to prepare their engineers for future EV / HEV developments, the program...
Jason Hendler -
2010 Toyota Prius: On the Road, And In Social Media Too
Carmakers have dived into the deep end of social media, with iPhone apps, Facebook pages, Twitter streams, and a whole host of other online ways to reach potential buyers and promote their brands. Not surprisingly, given the affluent, environmentally aware nature of its audience, the 2010 Toyota...
John Voelcker -
Today Show Presents First Review of Chevy Volt in Charge Sustaining Mode
We recently brought you the review of the Chevy Volt in charge-sustaining mode presented by New York Times writer Lindsay Brooke. His review praised the vehicle overall, but he was not fond of the charge-sustaining mode stating that it needed additional work. Aside from Brooke, only one other...
Eric Loveday -
Nissan has released another video in the series that feature the upcoming Nissan Leaf EV. View the video in its entirety below. This new video reveals a few addition details about the Leaf. According to the company, the Leaf will feature LED powered headlights and taillights. This design and use of LED technology will reduce the load on the battery system as LEDs operate with about 1/10 the electricity of conventional bulbs. Additional design elements focus on aerodynamics of the vehicle. According to Nissan, aerodynamics were a main focus throughout the design process. For...
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MG6 Retains Some Of Its British Roots
Being Manufactured in Britain is the Only Right Thing For an MG
Jonathan McGrew -
GM’s Return Program: Misleading or Genuine
Sometimes the Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story
Jonathan McGrew -
The Volt: Clarification On Its Extended Operating Mode
Not the Same As Today's Hybrid
Jonathan McGrew -
Dr. Amy Mainzer’s Electric Experiences With the Tesla Roadster
If you are a fan of the History Channel’s documentary series, The Universe, then you will likely recognize Dr. Amy Mainzer, a frequent commentator for the program. In a recent episode of The Universe, filmed in August, Dr. Mainzer was able to drive and discuss the Tesla Roadster. As it turns...
Jason Hendler -
All-Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom To Awe 2012 London Olympics?
We almost never mention the 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom here on GreenCarReports.com. That's because--at three tons, with 453 horsepower from its 6.7-liter V-12 engine, and an EPA rating of 13 mpg city / 19 mpg highway--it's [ahem] just not that green. Well, Rolls-Royce is looking ahead. Not only into...
John Voelcker -
Quantum, the engineering arm of Fisker Automotive, has come up with a military vehicle it has dubbed the Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle (CREV) Diesel/Electric Hybrid. Like a smaller, more efficient Hummer, the CREV is said to be able to cover long distances very quietly, the better to sneak up on our nation's foes. Capable of sustained 80 mph speeds, able to climb a 60% grade and with fuel consumption 25% below similar rough-terrain vehicles, the CREV is no doubt a very attractive package to the U.S. Military, who are currently evaluating prototypes at Michigan's TARDEC center. In...
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Taiwanese Island Of Liuqiu Going Electric Vehicle Only
Liuqiu, an island off the southern coast of Taiwan, will spend as much as $15.5 Billion over the next three years to replace all gas cars and scooters with electric vehicles. By the end of that period, all vehicles on the island will be required by law to be emissions-free. The plan covers buses...
Jon Vandervelde -
ETA Warns That Switching to EVs Will Increase Emissions in Coal Dependent World
Plug-in vehicles are a savior for the environment, at least according to research conducted by groups such as the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC). According to their studies conducted back in 2008, CO2 emissions could drop by as much as 450...
Eric Loveday -
NY Times Review of Chevy Volt in Charge Sustain Mode
Two lucky, select journalist have no had the chance to test the Chevy Volt in charge-sustaining mode and although the vehicle is still not perfect, the overall review from Lindsay Brooke of the New York Times is positive and enlightening. Brooke was one of only two journalists to try out the Volt's...
Eric Loveday -
Volt Gets Reenergized In the Press With the Latest Media Update
GM Catches Up In the Electric Car Race
Jonathan McGrew -
Top Gear Builds an Eye-Catching ER-EV
Those mischievous blokes at Top Gear are at it again. When tasked with creating a Chevy Volt competitor, the hosts of the BBC's auto-enthusiast program (Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond) put together the sight for sore eyes pictured here. They call it the Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust...
Robert Scardino -
Over the next 12 months, carmakers will introduce several new plug-in electric vehicles. One question that's frequently asked of GreenCarReports: Does recharging electric cars pose a threat to the electricity grid? The 2010 Fisker Karma and the 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids, among other electric-drive vehicles, are scheduled to roll out next year. Without a range-extending engine, the 2012 Nissan Leaf electric car will be even more reliant on the grid. So it's a reasonable question. The answer, in short, is: No. The current power grids in the U.S. are more than capable of handling...
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China's BAIC Unveils New Electric Car And Huge Production Facility
Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp. (BAIC),which is currently operating in partnership with German car-giant Daimler AG, has unveiled a new electric car aimed at carving some of the domestic electric car market away from Chinese rivals BYD and Chery. The BE701 is a four door sedan capable of...
Jon Vandervelde -
Introducing The ECOS Harbinger-An Electric Supercar For Under $90,000
ECOS is known for the electric retrofitting of old Volkswagens - for around $12,500, you can have your Beetle converted into highway capable electric commuter. But capitalizing on the availability of off-the-shelf componentry and the relative simplicity of EV powertrains, ECOS is hoping to...
Jon Vandervelde -
Toyota Prius To Become Brand's Biggest Seller Soon?
Well, maybe "soon" is a bit of an overstatement. But Jim Lentz, the president of Toyota's U.S. arm, recently told Ward's Auto News that sales of the Prius--the best-selling hybrid in the U.S. market--could grow to equal those of the Toyota Camry sometime this decade. The Toyota Camry, including its...
John Voelcker -
Four-Way Two-Mode Hybrid Project Ends, Lab Closes; Now What?
The Two-Mode Hybrid project was hailed as a model of technical cooperation when it was announced five years ago. But now the partners are going their separate ways, and the complex hybrid system may end up solely as a General Motors technology. GM said in late 2004 it would partner with Daimler and...
John Voelcker -
2011 Mazda2 Subcompact To Launch At Los Angeles Auto Show
We previewed the upcoming 2011 Mazda2 subcompact a couple of months ago, but now we have more details, along with photos of its updated styling. The five-door hatchback will be officially unveiled in early December, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The 2011 Mazda Mazda2 will go on sale in the U.S. and...
John Voelcker
