Stephen Edelstein, Contributing Writer
Articles
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The winds of change are blowing harder in the U.K.
The price of energy generated by offshore wind farms has been falling steadily, and ahead of schedule too.
Costs have fallen 32 percent since 2012,...
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2017 Ram, Jeep diesels should be certified by EPA shortly, company saysFiat Chrysler may have a plan to address EPA complaints regarding software in its 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6, according to comments by CEO Sergio Marchionne. The EPA announced earlier this month that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had failed to disclose eight separate software routines that affect the...
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Hawaii, utility offer $10,000 Nissan Leaf rebate; hope for carbon-free transportIslands can be excellent places to promote clean energy. Because they are typically disconnected from both mainland grid infrastructure and sources of fossil fuels, it is easier for alternative sources of energy to gain a foothold. In fact, the cost of importing coal or oil to fuel power plants or...
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VW diesel probe finally reaches to top; former CEO Winterkorn investigated by German prosecutorsGerman prosecutors have extended a probe into Volkswagen's use of "defeat device" software in diesel cars to former CEO Martin Winterkorn. Winterkorn, who resigned shortly after the existence of VW "defeat device" software was revealed by the EPA, has said he had no knowledge of the...
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MPGe importance, Governator's electric G-Class, Nissan Leaf hearse: Today's Car NewsToday, Hyundai claims the energy efficiency of battery-electric cars is taking on greater importance, Arnold Schwarzenegger takes delivery of an electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and a U.K. company markets Nissan Leaf hearses. All this and more on Green Car Reports. This electric Nissan Leaf hearse...
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World to have 5,000 hydrogen fueling stations by 2032: studyTo achieve mass adoption, fueling infrastructure for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will have to be hugely expanded. It's a problem similar to that faced by battery-electric cars, but charging stations are far cheaper and easier to install—and can rely on existing grid infrastructure for their...
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Since it bought the assets of bankrupt automaker Saab in 2012, Chinese-backed consortium National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) has been working toward mass production of electric cars.
But despite...
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Schwarzenegger's hydrogen Hummer gives way to electric G-WagenArnold Schwarzenegger has always had rather unusual taste in vehicles. The movie star and former California governor previously drove a hydrogen-fueled Hummer H2, symbolizing both his love for militaristic vehicles and a general concern for the environment. Now, the "Governator" has another SUV...
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Electric Nissan Leaf hearse: greenest way to travel the last mileThey may be painted the customary black, but why shouldn't hearses be green? Most people take their final journeys in hearses based on large luxury sedans, usually Cadillac or Lincoln models in the U.S. But a U.K. funeral home has teamed with an aftermarket company to create a more efficient and...
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Electric-car ignorance, 2017 Kia Niro pricing, VW dealer settlement: Today's Car NewsToday, a new survey indicates more than half of car buyers know very little about electric cars, the 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid is priced from $23,800, and a settlement between Volkswagen and its U.S. dealers addressing the diesel scandal is approved. All this and more on Green Car Reports. More than...
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VW dealers settle too; average payout almost $2 million eachA settlement between Volkswagen and its U.S. franchised dealers over the diesel-emissions scandal has been approved by a federal judge. First announced last August, the settlement calls for VW dealers to compensated for the alleged loss in value of their franchises related to fallout from the...
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Electric Ford Transit van conversion shown by Inventev at Detroit Auto ShowWhen an automaker doesn't offer a vehicle for a specific market segment, sometimes the aftermarket will fill in the gap. In the U.S., all-electric commercial vans are one of those gaps. Such vehicles are available in other markets, but so far, not on sale from major makers in North America. DON'T...
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When news of its diesel-emissions cheating broke last September, Volkswagen issued a stop-sale order for affected TDI diesel cars.
Now that a settlement for 2.0-liter TDI models has been approved,...
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2017 Kia Niro hybrid 'crossover' wagon priced from $23,800Almost a year after it was unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, the 2017 Kia Niro hybrid is finally going on sale. The Niro is Kia's first dedicated hybrid vehicle, and the Korean carmaker has taken an unusual tack in describing its new model. Kia calls the Niro a crossover, but its relatively...
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More than half of car buyers know little about electric cars, if anythingIn the six years since modern electric cars went on sale in large numbers, educating the public has been one of the greatest challenges for advocates of plug-in cars. Those efforts still have a long way to go, it seems. Electric cars have become more common over the past few years, but more than...
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Cost to make FCA diesels emission-compliant in Europe: half a billion dollarsSergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, believes diesels will allow the company to meet future, tougher fuel-economy standards. But that faith is being sorely tested at the moment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now says the company failed to disclose software for its...
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Using Plugless Power's wireless charging with Nissan Leaf: videoWireless charging for electric cars has been discussed for some time, but at last it is close to becoming a more realistic option for drivers. Evatran currently markets its Plugless wireless-charging system for multiple electric-car models. But what does it really take to ditch that charging...
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Even top German minister for environment prefers TeslaGovernment officials in Germany seeking to express national pride in their choice of vehicle have no shortage of options. The established German luxury brands offer many models that frequently serve in the capacity of official vehicle for an elected official. Indeed, given Germany's considerable...
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Earlier this month, Ford announced a host of new electrified vehicles, including prototype and production hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric models.
Before its planned 2019 production...
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Panasonic sees Tesla as deeper partner for self-driving cars too: CEOJapanese electronics firm Panasonic has been a close partner of Tesla Motors for many years now. It is the Silicon Valley automaker's sole battery supplier, it helps fund and operate the Tesla "Gigafactory" in Nevada, and the company owns a small stake in the carmaker. But Panasonic wants to move...
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Energy storage batteries face biggest test in CaliforniaFrom the perspective of both renewable-energy advocates and electric utilities, grid-scale energy storage offers many potential benefits. By storing energy in battery packs for later use, energy storage can make intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind into more reliable forms of power...
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2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid, Tesla Autopilot probe closed, Chevy Bolt EV dealers: Today's Car NewsToday, we test the 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration closes its Tesla Autopilot investigation, and we explain how to figure out if your local dealer carries the Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car. All this and more on Green Car Reports. The National Highway...
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First carbon-capture power plants come on line this yearFor electric utilities eager to hang onto their existing coal-fired power plants, carbon-capture technology must offer an exciting chance at salvation. As the name says, carbon capture retains and stores the emissions produced by coal power plants in particular, in theory mitigating some of their...
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How to figure out if your local Chevy dealer carries the Bolt EV electric carThe first few Chevrolet Bolt EV electric cars were delivered in California's Silicon Valley more than a month ago, marking the start of what will be a nationwide rollout. Electric-car advocates and buyers outside the Golden State are eager to know exactly when the 238-mile electric hatchback will...
Stephen Edelstein