'It's Orwellian': Everyone in UK could be given a personal 'carbon allowance'... Nov 14, 2009
Maybe Lord so-and-so would like to take some money from the big government pile and buy a few people a few electric cars or into water fuel cell research, but don't further extort the public in times like these, please. Igor Stravinsky on November 14, 2009 at 08:46 AM. (The Drudge Report)
VINCENT CORRELL: No easy way to get America back to top Nov 14, 2009
We hear about electric cars. Just where will that extra electricity come from. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
5 Things We Can Learn from China Nov 13, 2009
China is experimenting with eco-friendly technologies, from electric cars to urban wind turbines like this one in southeastern Shanghai. Daniel Traub for Time. (Time.com)
Tennessee engineers create hybrid motor Nov 13, 2009
As auto companies race to get viable electric cars to market, some local scholars are taking an express route to making the nation s fleet more energy efficient. An invention developed by professors at and doesn t require Americans to replace their internal combustion powered vehicles. (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
Park car, then plug in The chargers are coming. Electric-vehicle chargers, that is. A decade after charging stations at malls, hospitals and other public places fell into disuse as ... Nov 12, 2009
A decade after charging stations at malls, hospitals and other public places fell into disuse as automakers pulled an earlier generation of electric cars off the market, new public charging stations are beginning to trickle in ... Meanwhile, San Diego Gas ric Co. is behind a pilot program to bring electric cars made by Nissan to the region, along with a charging infrastructure ... The first 1,000 people in San Diego to buy a Nissan Leaf, as the electric car is known, are to get a free home... (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Electric cars need government support: Nissan-Renault CEO Nov 12, 2009
SHANGHAI: Electric cars could help China and other countries reduce their dependency on oil but the government must provide incentive to make the shift, Nissan and Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said on Thursday ... "For many countries that are net importers of crude oil, such as China, that is a strategic consideration." Ghosn, who is also president of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, said all major makers were investing in hybrid, clean diesel, electric cars and not one felt "they... (India Times)
Bikes do not have the same rights as cars Nov 11, 2009
What the point of promoting electric cars, fuel efficient transport and carbon reduction with billions spent upgrading the network when these cyclists keep choking the traffic flow by riding in all lanes at any speed depending on their body energy(0km - 60km+). The road is not a gym or track, and if allowed and where cycle tracks anot available for them, they must avoid peak hours. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
After the Recession, an Energy Crisis Could Loom Nov 11, 2009
"We will reach a plateau and start to decline." He said that expanding access to alternative-energy options like electric cars and solar panels will only "add some years to the end" of the world's oil reserves. The IEA report doesn't sugarcoat the future when it comes to climate change, saying the world faces a looming disaster if its leaders drag their feet in Copenhagen. (Time.com)
Costs Of Plug-in Cars Key To Broad Consumer Acceptance Nov 11, 2009
10, 2009) A University of Michigan survey released today shows widespread consumer interest in buying plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). But the cost of the cars is much more influential than environmental and other non-economic factors as a predictor of purchase probabilities. (Science Daily)
Aston-Martin CEO criticizes e-car hype Nov 11, 2009
MUNICH, Germany During a panel discussion at the Productronica trade fair, the top executive of automotive OEM Aston Martin Lagonda has found harsh words for the trend towards electric cars and the associated infrastructure developments ... The "noise" about this topic would not justify the real value of electric cars, he pointed out ... He also criticized technical approaches that aim at using the batteries of electric cars to stabilize the power grid, an approach currently discussed in the... (EETimes)
Motor oil makers get ready for the electric-car age Nov 10, 2009
With electric cars on the way, you'd think a certain amount of panic gripping the motor oil divisions of big oil companies. With no pistons going up and down, there's less to lubricate. (USA Today -- Money)
UK soldier dies in Helmand blast Nov 8, 2009
Page last updated at 08:24 GMT, Sunday, 8 November 2009. Flags are being flown at half mast at the main British base in Afghanistan. (BBC News -- UK)
Rail line hit by driver shortage Nov 8, 2009
Page last updated at 01:23 GMT, Sunday, 8 November 2009. The union says FCC has been running on "goodwill". (BBC News -- UK)
Call to allow Scottish space bases Nov 8, 2009
Page last updated at 23:33 GMT, Saturday, 7 November 2009. Law change call for space flight. (BBC News -- UK)
Today's Mailbag Nov 8, 2009
The other item I would like to touch upon is the problem with electric cars. These require special batteries and supermagnets. (The News-Press -- Opinion)
Murder probe after man found dead Nov 8, 2009
Page last updated at 19:18 GMT, Saturday, 7 November 2009. A murder inquiry is under way after a man was found dead at a house in Lancashire. (BBC News -- UK)
No action against nursery worker Nov 8, 2009
Page last updated at 14:02 GMT, Saturday, 7 November 2009. No further action is to be taken against a nursery worker from Leeds who was arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault last month. (BBC News -- UK)
Robinson 'clings to sinking ship' Nov 8, 2009
Page last updated at 13:21 GMT, Saturday, 7 November 2009. Robinson 'clings to sinking ship. (BBC News -- UK)
Letters to the editor (11/8/09) Nov 8, 2009
Electric cars produce less carbon per mile than gas cars. Brian Tomlinson claims it's absurd to think that an electric car can reduce greenhouse gas emissions if the electricity comes from coal or natural gas (letter, Nov. 1). (Anchorage Daily News)
Nation to remember UK's war dead Nov 8, 2009
Page last updated at 09:19 GMT, Sunday, 8 November 2009. UK soldiers remember the fallen. (BBC News -- UK)
In the balance Nov 8, 2009
Page last updated at 00:02 GMT, Sunday, 8 November 2009. Dizzy attacks left me spinning. (BBC News -- UK)
Chrysler dismantles electric car plans Nov 7, 2009
Marchionne told reporters and analysts electric cars would only represent "one to two percent" of Chrysler's sales by 2014, equivalent to less than 60,000 vehicles. "Until the (battery) storage gets resolved, I think electric vehicles are going to struggle," he said. (India Times)
First Look at Carbon Capture and Storage in a West Virginia Coal-Fired Power Plant [Slide Show] Nov 7, 2009
"If we can do that, we can help them decarbonize the rest of the economy" through alternative technologies such as electric cars. In fact, EPRI estimates that a 41 percent reduction in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 could be achieved through a combination of (CCS), increased generation from , and as well as efficiency improvements. (Scientific American)
PADDY MANNING Nov 7, 2009
People are looking for a cleaner energy source, one they can believe in, and enough to keep the lights on and power electric cars and desalination plants by 2050, when Australia's population will be. Paddy Manning12. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Nissan taking feedback from emerging markets Nov 6, 2009
I believe electric cars will grab 10% market share by 2020 ... My reasons for confidence are the internal surveys Nissan carried out: 8% of car owners in the US say electric cars are their first choice while the figure for Japan is 9. (India Times)
Peak oil? Don't worry -- Obama's on the job Nov 6, 2009
But there's also the possibility that China and India might learn from the West's example, and push much more aggressively for higher fuel economy standards, energy efficiency, and the rollout of hybrid and electric cars than the United States did. But we'll see. (Salon)
Sarkozy's `Grand Loan' Pits EADS Against Peugeot, Safran in Fight for Cash Nov 5, 2009
Former Socialist Prime Minister , who co-heads the committee working on the proposal, said in an Oct. 29 interview that possible uses for the money include developing new aircraft and electric cars, and research on nanotechnologies and biofuels ... The loan should be used to reduce energy consumption in buildings to save energy that will be used for future electric cars, Gilles Vermot Desroches, sustainable development senior vice president at , said in an interview. (Bloomberg)
How Audi is Cleaning Up with Clean Diesel Nov 4, 2009
Many carmakers and governmental officials are focusing on electric cars and plug-in hybrids as the future of the industry ... This can all be attained in a relatively shorter space of time, and at lower costs, than waiting 20 years plus until we get our act together with electric cars ... So you're not totally against electric cars then. (Time.com)
* Nissan set to boost battery output to supply automaker Nov 4, 2009
Nissan separately plans to invest some D30 billion to jointly build a new plant with Renault in France to supply lithium ion batteries for Renaults electric cars, it said ... Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said last month his company aims to make rechargeable batteries for electric cars one of its key businesses, predicting a bright future for zero-emission vehicles. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Energy Dept. awards money for electric cars Nov 4, 2009
Virginia is working with Dominion Virginia Power on building charging stations for electric cars ... Grants automakers received to help them develop and manufacture plug-in hybrids and electric cars ... By Katharine Lackey, USA TODAY The federal government and some states are plugging into the future of electric cars with subsidies to develop charging stations. (USA Today)
Nissan Consults Lawyers, Scores `Minor Miracle' With Unclaimed Leaf Name Nov 1, 2009
5 billion) developing electric cars to compete with Toyota Motor Corp.s Prius and s Insight hybrids ... Stricter emissions regulations are spurring introductions of electric cars. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Battery Of The Future: New Storage Material Improves Energy Density Of Lithium-ion Battery Oct 31, 2009
30, 2009) High-performance energy storage technologies for the automotive industry or mobile phone batteries and notebooks providing long battery times -- these visions of the future are being brought one step nearer by scientists from Graz University of Technology. Researchers at the Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials have developed a new method that utilises silicon for lithium-ion batteries. (Science Daily)
Electric Cars Finally Shift Into Drive Oct 31, 2009
At last month's Tokyo Motor Show, Honda () said it might make and sell all-electric cars in the U.S., Europe and Japan, and it showed off an electric concept vehicle called EV-N. This marks a shift for Honda, which for years put most of its alternative-energy efforts in developing hydrogen-powered vehicles ... Unlike hybrids, all-electric cars can achieve zero emissions ... But at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Toyota executives said electric cars are still too expensive for mainstream... (Investors Business Daily)
Wheego's 1st all-electric car Oct 31, 2009
Wheego Electric Cars Inc., based in Atlanta, delivered its first all-electric low-speed vehicle (LSV) to a customer Friday ... Carts didn t excite him, but he began to research electric cars. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Coda's All-Electric Sedan Revs Up U.S. Auto Market Oct 30, 2009
That firm's low-speed electric cars, or LSVs, still tool around university campuses and retirement communities, but quality problems alienated dealers; the company now sells direct to fleets ... For its part, Lishen gets to develop the infrastructure it will need to mass-produce electric cars once they become popular in China. (FastCompany)
How an ARPA-E Grant Can Transform a Startup Oct 30, 2009
An Energy Dept. first-round grant may help Envia Systems find a way to develop a lower-cost battery for plug-in hybrid and electric cars. By. (BusinessWeek)
Peabody helps start U.S.-China energy deal Oct 30, 2009
The Energy Cooperation Program between the United States and China includes 21 founding members that want to advance coal-based power generation with carbon capture and storage, smart power grid development and clean transportation, including electric cars. Peabody said it would participate on the ECP s executive committee, along with , , and. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
Electric Bikes Trace Car Execs' DC Trip Oct 29, 2009
The visit by the electric motorcycle riders comes as luxury automaker Fisker Automotive said Tuesday it was buying a shuttered General Motors assembly plant in Delaware to produce plug-in hybrid electric cars. Vice President Joe Biden was among those on hand to announce a new lease on life for the GM plant. (KSBW 8, CA)
Tesla's supercharged tax break Oct 29, 2009
Tesla Motors won't have to pay sales tax on $320 million worth of manufacturing equipment for building its electric cars, under an agreement California Treasurer Bill Lockyer announced Wednesday ... Tesla won't have to pay sales tax on equipment Articles Tesla Motors won't have to pay sales tax on $320 million worth of manufacturing equipment for building its electric cars, under an agreement California Treasurer Bill Lockyer announced Wednesday. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
Plug-in hybrid maker eyes old GM plant Oct 29, 2009
- Backed by the Obama adminsitration and union leaders, a startup automaker has struck a deal to buy a shuttered GM assembly plant to produce plug-in hybrid electric cars ... "There was a lot of hard work involved, and it's going to pay off with manufacturing jobs that will be a great asset in Wilmington and in communities around the country, Gettelfinger said in a prepared statement.U.S. Sens. Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, both Maryland Democrats, said the reopening of the plant will... (MSNBC -- Environment)
Idled Former G.M. Plant to Produce Hybrids Oct 28, 2009
Plant to Build Plug-In Electric Cars ... (CBS/AP) California luxury automaker Fisker Automotive is buying an idled General Motors assembly plant in Delaware to produce plug-in hybrid electric cars. (CBS News)
Obama's Smart-Grid Game Plan Oct 28, 2009
4 million to add 12,500 smart meters and beef up its grid-charged electric cars. "This is a great first step toward transforming our whole energy system," says Mark Brownstein, an energy director at the Environmental Defense Fund, which like many environmental groups sees the smart grid as essential to both making the U.S. more energy efficient and boosting the use of renewable power. (BusinessWeek)
'Nasty' racist behavior Oct 27, 2009
Republican presidential candidate John McCain proposed Monday at a town hall meeting in Fresno that the U.S. establish a $300 million prize -- representing one dollar for every U.S. resident, he said -- for an automobile battery with the "size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog" commercially available hybrid or electric cars. McCain also proposed tax credits for automakers that sell cars with reduced carbon emissions, offering up to $5,000 for zero-emissions cars. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Green Reva is red rag for some Americans Oct 27, 2009
one New Yorker snippily asked in the local press, after Bannon Automotive, a Long Island electric car firm of uncertain provenance, said it would build Reva's electric cars at a yet to be determined site near Syracuse at an event attended by the governor David Patterson. Bannon is yet to get its financing together and Reva's full board is yet to approve the project, but the fur is already flying over the plan, partly due to what locals see as the states munificence to dodgy entrepreneurs. (India Times)
* Bolivia seeks to exploit its huge lithium deposits Oct 26, 2009
Bolivia has half of the worlds known reserves of lithium X a key mineral used especially in rechargeable batteries, as well as everything from cell phones and laptops to electric cars. With demand for lithium expected to boom in coming years, Bolivia X one of the poorest countries in South America X is sitting on something potentially more valuable than a gold mine. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Bolivia Natural-Gas Industry Losing Clients, Former President Quiroga Says Oct 26, 2009
Lithium is used to make batteries for portable electronics such as cellular phones, I-pods and may power electric cars. Potential bidders for Bolivias lithium deposits include Brazils , French companies and , as well as Japans. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Seattle expected to be key market for electric cars Oct 26, 2009
Puget Sound is poised to become one of the key markets for the initial wave of electric cars, in part because of plans to begin building next year a network of more than 2,000 charging stations throughout the region ... As part of the DOE grant, the Puget Sound area has been promised 1,000 Nissan LEAF all-electric cars, which will be sold here beginning in December 2010 ... Because of the charging network, the Seattle area will be one of the major markets for other brands of electric cars, said... (Longview Daily News, WA)
A cordless future for electricity? Oct 25, 2009
It also will make electric cars more attractive to consumers, he said, because they will be able to power up their vehicles simply by driving into a garage that's fitted with a wireless power mat. Electric cars are "absolutely gorgeous," he added, "but does anyone really want to plug them in?". (CNN -- Tech)
Japanese automakers' hydrogen car drive Oct 25, 2009
Toyota president Akio Toyoda says he expects that eventually electric cars will be used for short distances and fuel-cell hybrids for long journeys ... "There is a feeling that by 2050 fuel cells will eventually surpass electric cars," said Ashvin Chotai, managing director of Intelligence Automotive Asia ... "In a lot of countries where electricity is generated with fossil fuels electric cars are still not an ideal solution, especially in places like China and India where a lot of the energy is... (Yahoo! Asia News)
Japanese automakers in new push for hydrogen-powered cars Oct 25, 2009
" onclick="Next();" src="/images/butt_next. A fuel-cell car gives you power, distance. (Channelnewsasia.com)
New NY company to roll out electric cars in 2010 Oct 24, 2009
An Indian car company has chosen upstate New York for a factory to build a new generation of electric cars for North America, a state official said Thursday ... SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A new New York company hopes to complete financing of a Syracuse plant to make electric cars by the end of this year and start rolling out plug-in hatchbacks in late 2010. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Cute Car, But Will You Buy? Oct 24, 2009
Indian Automaker to License New York Plant to Build Electric Cars - Auto - FOXNews ... Indian Automaker to License New York Plant to Build Electric Cars ... SYRACUSE, N.Y A new New York company plans to complete financing this year for a plant to produce electric cars and begin rolling out the three-door, plug-in hatchbacks in late 2010, the company chief executive said Friday. (Fox News)
Indian Automaker to License New York Plant to Build Electric Cars Oct 24, 2009
SYRACUSE, N.Y A new New York company plans to complete financing this year for a plant to produce electric cars and begin rolling out the three-door, plug-in hatchbacks in late 2010, the company chief executive said Friday. Bannon Automotive CEO Paul Wimer said at a news conference that Syracuse was chosen over sites in Kentucky, Michigan and elsewhere because of its proximity to key markets and the "dogged pursuit" of the Freeport-based startup by local, state and federal officials. (Fox News)
Automakers focus on affordable electric cars Oct 24, 2009
In order for electric cars finally to win public acceptance, they'll need to be affordable, said Nancy Gioia, who this month was named Ford's director of electrification efforts ... Other automakers are developing electric cars and advanced hybrids that avoid the upper price ranges, even though they won't be as cheap as comparably sized, gasoline-fueled cars ... Price isn't the only barrier to electric cars. (San Francisco Chronicle)
India's Reva Plans NY Electric Car Site Oct 24, 2009
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- An Indian car company has chosen upstate New York for a factory to build a new generation of electric cars for North America, a state official said Thursday ... There are more than two dozen companies now manufacturing or planning to manufacture electric cars in the United States, according to industry figures. (KSBW 8, CA)
Repairing a hybrid doesn't have to cost a lot Oct 24, 2009
While some cars may be appealing because they are better for the environment or great on gas savings, for the average driver some fully electric cars may not be worth the cost to purchase or maintain. A new lithium ion battery pack for the fully-electric Tesla Roadster - with a sticker price of 101,500 - costs around 36,000. (Fairfax Chronicle, VA)
Click to read:Gays Will Get Hate Crimes Protections Oct 23, 2009
"The purchase of some models could be absolutely free," Roger Gaddis of Ada Electric Cars in Oklahoma said earlier this year ... The IRS has also ruled that there's no limit to how many electric cars an individual can buy, so some enterprising profiteers are stocking up on multiple carts while the federal credit lasts, in order to resell them at a profit later. (CBS News)
Electric vehicle incubator in San Jose may be non-starter Oct 23, 2009
The grants would help fund a variety of initiatives, including the development of electric-powered school buses and refuse trucks that would be built in San Jose, as well as electric cars driven for parking enforcement and a solar refueling station. Synergy EV would administer the grants and receive about $400,000 over 18 months in fees if the grants are approved by the state. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
California's Push for Electric Cars May Make Residents Pay More for Power Oct 23, 2009
Californias Push for Electric Cars May Increase Power Rates - Bloomberg ... Californias Push for Electric Cars May Increase Power Rates ... Oct. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Californias push to lead U.S. sales of electric cars may result in higher power rates for consumers in the state, as a growing number of rechargeable vehicles forces utilities to pay for grid upgrades. (Bloomberg -- US)
Reva may sport made-in-US tag Oct 23, 2009
It likely to set up America's first assembly plant for electric cars. A senior Reva executive who didnt wish to be named confirmed the new proposed venture and said: We are exploring all options and would be working in many international markets to export and manufacture our cars. (India Times)
China's Economy: Behind All the Hype Oct 23, 2009
Now the mainland is charging ahead in new industries, unveiling homegrown airliners, electric cars, and high-speed trains. But delve beneath the muscular statistics and hype about advances in strategic industries, and China doesn't seem so prepared to catapult into a role of global economic leadership. (BusinessWeek)
Royal train excites buffs Oct 22, 2009
It aims to be carbon positive by early next year via energy and water efficiency programmes, recycling and waste reduction programmes, electric cars and green banqueting. The ITC Royal Gardenia is part of Starwoods Luxury Collection. (India Times)
Fun could be the key to selling plug-in hybrid autos Oct 22, 2009
Naturally, people want safe and reliable cars, but, they said, the key to wide public acceptance of more expensive plug-in and electric cars is making them fun ... Now, the industry sees electric cars and plug-in hybrids as the next generation of vehicles. (USA Today -- Autos)
Electric cars take on hybrids at Tokyo show Oct 22, 2009
" From Honda comes the EV-N, a cute new electric concept car with a retro look that can store a one-wheel personal mobility device inside its door. The high cost of rechargeable batteries has long been a barrier to the launch of affordable electric vehicles, but after technological advances the dawn of zero-emission vehicles appears to be approaching. "Hybrids have disadvantages they are heavy, have a complicated system and still use gasoline," said Tatsuya Mizuno, director of Mizuno Credit... (Channelnewsasia.com)
Don't Create an Enemies List Oct 22, 2009
The administration agrees with this on electric cars and research and development. We may not be far apart on offshore exploration. (CBS News -- Opinion)