Vowing to be a world leader in renewable energy, Obama has promised $2.4 billion for electric car. Specifically, the money would be used for developing next generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and advanced battery components. These advancements would create tens of thousands of US jobs and reduce the country's reliance on foreign oil. Obama stated:
We can let the jobs of tomorrow be created abroad or we can create them here in America and lay the foundation for lasting prosperity...The nation that leads on energy will be the nation that leads the world in the 21st century. That's why, around the world, nations are racing to lead in these industries of the future...Germany is leading the world in solar power. Spain generates almost 30 percent of its power by harnessing the wind, while we manage less than one percent and Japan is producing the batteries that currently power American hybrid cars.
The $2.4 billion has been made available under the economic stimulus law, and it will be divided up as follows:
$1.5 billion to US manufacturers who produce highly efficient batteries
$500 million for manufacturers other components for the vehicles.
$400 million for evaluating and building electric vehicle infrastructure, such as charging stations and training for mechanics.
The Bamgoo: A Japanese Electric Car Made from Bamboo
Bamboo is hailed by environmentalists as quick growing and sustainable. Electric cars are espoused for their zero carbon emissions. The Japanese have combined both bamboo and electric cars into the BamGoo. I don't know how safe it is to drive, but it certainly is unique. According to Japan Probe:
Single-seat bamboo-made electrical car "BamGoo" is displayed in Kyoto city, western Japan, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008. The 60-kg ecologically-friendly concept car is developed by the city and the Kyoto University, featuring local bamboo ware technology. The car can run for some 50 kilometers (30 miles) on a charge.
Clean Car Technology" The Wind Powered Car by Mercedes
Imagine it's the year 2025...now imagine a race car powered by the wind! That's what Mercedes unveiled at the LA Auto Show: The Formula Zero race car. Featuring electric motors, regenerative braking, solar panels on the body, a wind turbine at the nose, and a high-tech sail, emission free racing may be in Formula One's racing future. Of course, the very nature of racing would have to change for this wind-powered car to be successful: fans would have to cheer for both energy efficiency and speed.
Via: EcoGeek
ZENN: Zero Emission No Noise Neighborhood Electric Car
More and more electric cars are popping up on the market, including neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV). As the name implies, a NEV is capable of driving at speeds up to 25 MPH for neighborhood driving. ZENN is a "Zero Emission No Noise" NEV.
The ZENN can be recharged anywhere by simply plugging into a standard electrical outlet and can be ready to go in as little as 4 hours. At only pennies per mile to operate and with minimal maintenance requirements, the ZENN is the ideal choice for consumers and businesses alike.
The Skinny on Hybrids: The Best Website for Hybrid Information and Comparisons
The Hybrid Center is the ultimate resource for anyone in the market for a hybrid or interested in the history and future development of this technology. You can select any hybrid model and read reviews, comparisons, and a buying guide. One of my favorite features of the website is the Hybrid Vehicle Timeline, as it includes information on "Hybrids on the Horizon". The Hybrid Center is a project of the Union of Concerned Scientists, so you know you can trust the information's accuracy.
Real Testimony of a Tesla Roadster Electric Car Owner
Sure they cost over a $100,000 and take 12 months to get, but the Tesla Roadster is an amazing electric car. This EV can go zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and will travel 220 miles on one charge. I love at the end of this video when Mark accelerates his Tesla Roadster, his wife pleads, "Oh Jesus, Mark please!"
Toyota Adding Solar Panels to Prius to Power Air Conditioning
The Toyota Prius has long been the golden child of the environmental movement for its fuel economy. When the EPA changed the standards for reporting fuel economy on new car stickers to include the use of air conditioning, the hybrid Prius lost a few miles per gallon. That may all change, now that Toyota plans to install solar panels on the roof of high end models to power the AC. The Kyocera solar panels will produce between two to five kilowatts.
Hopefully this power can be stored while the car is idle to power the electric motor too. People just may have to think twice about parking in covered garages if solar panels become a regular feature on car roofs. Via: BBC and Treehugger
German automaker Mercedes has targeted the year 2015 to end its dependence on oil. The Sun explains:
There are 50million jobs worldwide associated with the car and more than 80 per cent of goods are transported by road.
Mercedes are convinced that these two crucial areas of industry can be saved by making vehicles independent of crude oil - to improve costs, become more eco-friendly and because the oil supply will eventually run out.
The company plans to replace gasoline vehicles with biofuels, electric cars, and fuel cells. This October, the Mercedes A and B class cars will feature Start/Stop technology, which allows the engine to stop when idle and restart once you lift your foot from the brake.
Via: Eco Geek & The Sun
Toyota Building Nickel-Metal Hydride and Lithium-Ion Battery Plants for Electric and Hybrid Cars
What will $192 million buy? A nickel-metal hydride battery plant in Shizuoka prefecture, central Japan. Toyota is teaming up with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, makers of Panasonic, to build a plant to produce the batteries currently used in the Prius. Rumors are also circulating in the Nikkei, Japan's top business daily, that Toyota is also building a lithium-ion battery plant for future electric cars. Lithium-ion batteries are smaller and more powerful than nickel-metal hydrides, and they may be used in the plug-in Prius expected in 2010. Nissan, who plans to release an affordable electric vehicle in 2010, will be using lithium-ion batteries.
Via: AP News
Honda FCX Clarity Zero Emission Fuel Cell Vehicle is Here Now!
Starting this summer, Honda will be leasing the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle in Southern California. This zero emission car is limited to Torrance, Irvine, and Santa Monica, as these places are the only ones with fueling station infrastructure.
The reason for this limited initial release is that in order to drive a fuel cell vehicle, you have to be able to refuel it. And since these clean cars do not run on gasoline, you can't just stop off at your regular corner gas station to fill up. Hydrogen fuel stations are critical to the deployment of a fuel cell car and, as it stands now, stations accessible to the public are still quite limited.
The FCX Clarity will travel 270 miles before needing to be refueled, and the lease costs $600 a month. It is powered by an electric motor:
The new high-output, compact electric motor that drives the FCX Clarity is powerful and quiet for a smooth and efficient ride. This lightweight motor has its roots in the one developed by Honda for the EV Plus™ electric vehicle. High efficiency over a broad output range with low noise is the main benefit of this next-generation motor.
Here's how it works:
A
hydrogen fuel cell produces electricity for the vehicle. The fuel cell combines hydrogen, which is stored in a fuel tank onboard the vehicle, with oxygen from the air to make electricity. The electricity then powers the electric motor, which in turn drives the front wheels. Water vapor and heat are the only byproducts.
I can't wait to see these slick fuel cell Hondas on the road this summer!
UPS has ordered 200 hybrid delivery trucks! The trucks will feature Mercedes-Benz diesel engines, a 2 kWh lithium ion battery pack, and a computer-controlled manual transmission resulting in a 40 percent fuel savings and a 90 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to standard diesel systems. The shipping company has also ordered 200
compressed natural gas trucks to the fleet, increasing the number of alternative fuel UPS trucks from 1,718 to 2,218 vehicles. Via: Eco Tech Daily
One downfall of the new, cleaner diesel engines required to meet EPA clean air standards is that they use more fuel. With the skyrocketing cost of fuel, this is a big problem. The solution: hybrid big rigs.
Mack Trucks and the US Air Force developed this hybrid dump truck. Imagine a hybrid sanitation truck...Once there is a enough power stored in the batteries and the diesel motor shuts off, the garbage truck can move quietly from house to house emptying trash cans. If you have ever been woken up in the early hours by a noisy sanitation truck, you know what a blessing a quieter hybrid could be. Other hybrid big-rig trucks are under development and testing. Paul L. Vikner, president and CEO of Mack, explained:
Hybrid systems can have a major impact on reducing the more than 38 billion gallons of diesel fuel the U.S. trucking industry consumes every year. Mack's research indicates that hybrid electric systems in heavy-duty trucks could save as much as 35 percent of the fuel consumed by conventionally powered vehicles.
Yipee! Affordable Think City Electric Car is Coming to America
The Think City electric vehicle (EV) is coming to America in 2009. Priced under $25,000, this EV seats two adults and two children, has a top speed of 65 MPH, and will travel 124 miles before needing a recharge. Best of all, it is made from 95% recyclable materials!
Using $6000 from his part time job as a lifeguard, Andrew Angelloti converted his 1988 Mazda pickup to an electric vehicle (EV). Using 20 batteries and a 60 HP 9" electric motor, this truck tops out at 55 MPH and gets about 40 miles per charge. Andrew is working on converting his second car to an EV, as he hopes to achieve 80 MPH out of the 1992 Toyota Tercel.
Obama Pledges $2.4 Billion for Electric Cars
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