Autoblog

How Washington's fiscal cliff deal helps NASCAR and electric motorcycles

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials, Motorcycle, Racing

With the so-called fiscal cliff looming like a New Year's Day hangover, US lawmakers were able to strike an eleventh-hour deal that should prove beneficial to couples making less than $450,000 a year. Like any piece of US legislation, though, there was enough pork stuffed inside to ensure lobbyists and well-connected constituents remain happy. As a part of the deal, a few tax credits were extended that pertain to the automotive world.

On one hand, a 2009 tax credit was extended for electric motorcycles and scooters that gives buyers a break of up to 10-percent of the purchase price (up to $2,500). However, the deal also removed vehicles like golf carts from qualification. Another consequence of the fiscal cliff deal was that numerous biofuel tax credits were extended - our sister site, AutoblogGreen, broke the specifics down yesterday.

More unexpected is word that NASCAR track owners also benefited from the last-minute legislation with a huge tax break extension. The break, which allows track owners to deduct their facilities' deprecation over seven years (instead of the normal 39-year government estimate), will reportedly cost taxpayers more than $40 million per year. The NASCAR tax break was originally made law back in 2004, and was later extended under the TARP bailout package in 2008. CNN notes that the motorsports provision applies to the depreciation of facilities that hold at least seven days of racing each year, seat at least 70,000 fans and have concession stands that somehow benefit charitable organizations.

How Washington's fiscal cliff deal helps NASCAR and electric motorcycles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mind The Skid Marks: Toto toilet company unveils poo-powered motorcycle

George Kennedy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:46:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Technology, Motorcycle, Specialty

Yes, this sounds like something straight out of the The Onion, but it appears to be the real deal. Toto Ltd., a Japanese toilet company, has apparently constructed a highly efficient motorcycle that runs on, well, excrement. The project, which has been ongoing since 2009 called "Toilet Bike Neo," made its debut on Thursday in a Fujisawa showroom.

The basis is a three-wheeled, 250cc trike, with a specially built toilet as the seat. It's important to note that the contraption does not run on the rider's (*ahem*) leavings. Rather, the vehicle runs on livestock waste, or waste water. The toilet-derived seat is just a rather blatant advertising device.

According to a Metro UK report, the bike "runs on biogas fuel (fertilized, purified and compressed livestock waste and household waste water) provided by the Shika-oi Town in Hokkaido and Kobe city."

This puts Toto at the front of the clean vehicle initiative in the Japanese market. The report says this vehicle could very well spawn a production model (we're guessing it wouldn't include the toilet seating), but there's no word yet on production timing or price for the poo-burning hog.

Mind The Skid Marks: Toto toilet company unveils poo-powered motorcycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA gives E15 go-ahead despite objections, approves production applications

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

As predicted and expected, the Environmental Protection Agency today approved the first applications to make E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol in it. This means that E15 is now a "significant step" closer to production and sale in America.

For decades, gasoline in the U.S. has had up to 10 percent ethanol in it, but the extra five points were enough to generate resistance. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and the Science Committee in the House of Representatives both took steps to prevent E15 from entering the national supply. Even the EPA admits not every vehicle should use the new blend, saying it is approved only for Model Year 2001 vehicles and newer.

Many automakers have been hesitant about E15, fearing fuel system and engine damage, so a number of them joined a lawsuit against it in 2010 through the Auto Alliance. Some have even gone so far as to say that any older vehicles that use E15 will have their warranties voided. The EPA's rules say that any pump dispensing E15 must be clearly labeled. The EPA is not requiring any station to sell E15 in any way, but the Obama Administration does want to encourage its use, and thus wants to help get 10,000 blender pumps installed in the U.S. over the next 5 years.

In late 2011, the U.S. Congress ended a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol while also stopping tariffs on ethanol imported from Brazil. Since 1980, the ethanol industry has received an estimated $45 billion in subsidies. Check out the official EPA press release for further details after the jump.

Continue reading EPA gives E15 go-ahead despite objections, approves production applications

EPA gives E15 go-ahead despite objections, approves production applications originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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30-year-old corn ethanol subsidy nixed by Washington

Dan Roth — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Corn-based ethanol is a controversial fuel in its own right, and a longstanding federal subsidy for blending the biofuel with gasoline has been an additional source of consternation over the last 30 years. According to The Detroit News, Congress has wrapped up its work for 2011 without extending the incentive, a move that's drawn praise from environmental groups and taxpayer advocates.

Hand-in-hand with the discontinuation of the tax subsidy, an import tariff on ethanol imported from Brazil has also been cancelled, which opens the tap for a source of ethanol that doesn't have the reputation of being a dirty diversion of a food crop that corn-based ethanol carries. That means that while the blenders' tax credit is no more, the 2007 legislation calling for a significant increase in the use of renewable fuels is likely not going anywhere if the abundant ethanol produced from Brazil's sugarcane economy can be used instead.

The corn lobby is naturally not thrilled with the news, but it has put on a brave face. Tom Buis of Growth Energy, a group that supports and fosters the cause of domestic ethanol production, tells the DetNews, "without the tax credit, the ethanol industry will survive; it will continue to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, and strengthen our economy." That statement isn't exactly at odds with the actions of Congress, since there's now about $6 billion per year that could be plowed into further renewable fuel research and development that would ensure corn ethanol is indeed a stepping stone fuel, as it was sold in the first place.

30-year-old corn ethanol subsidy nixed by Washington originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contradiction in Terms: Green in NASCAR equals 5 mpg

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

NASCAR has already gone solar and wants to help you (not themselves) use less fuel, but the cold hard reality is that those ovals are being made in cars that get around five miles per gallon. Not exactly hybrid SUV territory there. So, to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used in each race, race organizers are looking at maybe - just maybe - using alternative fuels in some of the cars.

Before NASCAR gets that ca-razy, though, there are other ways the series might use fewer resources. At least NASCAR's first director of green innovation, Mike Lynch, makes it clear that, "We're not attempting to take any high ground. [...] This is a pragmatic approach to green, and what we're doing now is just the beginning."

Part of the problem is that NASCAR fans don't want to give up what they've become accustomed to. Lee White, president of Toyota Racing Development, told USAToday that, "Doubling fuel mileage means half the horsepower, and putting fans in the stands requires a show." Driver Sam Hornish, Jr. adds, "No one is going to come watch us run battery-powered cars. I don't see anyone making enough electric power to go 200 mph."

Driver Brian Vickers is also more than willing to take the let's-all-do-something-but-you-go-first approach. He said, "Do our cars need to be more fuel efficient? Absolutely. But I think as a whole there's a lot bigger low-hanging fruit we can go after as a sport. There are a lot of fans that come to these races, and there's a lot we don't recycle that we could."

Some of that low-hanging fruit are carbon offsets, possibly replacing carburetors with (gasp!) fuel injection and finally Coke's race-side display that "highlight(s) its recycling businesses and has placed more than 2,600 recycling bins at a dozen tracks that have collected more than 65,000 pounds of recyclable material." When you have such a history of going in circles, maybe progress isn't your forte.

[Source: USAToday via Domestic Fuel]
Photo by pocketwiley. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Contradiction in Terms: Green in NASCAR equals 5 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gilligan's Island tech? Coconut oil-fueled, bamboo taxi

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Green

Bamboo Taxi - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Increasing powertrain efficiency is just one area in which vehicles' environmental impact can be lessened. A significant portion of the total energy used to operate the vehicle over its lifetime comes from sourcing and processing raw materials into individual vehicle components, as well as transporting finished vehicles to their end customers.

With this in mind, new taxis based on renewable materials are being built and used ~~on Gilligan's Island~~ in the Filipino town of Tabontabon. The bodywork is made entirely from bamboo -- a grass which, in addition to being strong and lightweight, grows back after it's harvested. Don't expect to see this on the list of IIHS Top Safety Picks anytime soon, but as a low-speed vehicle for use in rural areas, it's an interesting alternative. Even the fuel is renewable, as the engines in these vehicles are powered by coconut oil-based biodiesel. Plus, if you're lucky, maybe you'll be able to split a fare with Ginger or Mary Ann on the way to the Professor's hut.

Gallery: Bamboo Taxis in the Philippines

[Source: Fast Company]

Gilligan's Island tech? Coconut oil-fueled, bamboo taxi originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obama trying to give biofuels a bump

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green, Electric, Diesel

Currently, the United States isn't producing enough biofuels to satisfy the requirements set out by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and President Obama's administration is planning to do something about it. On Tuesday, Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a new $786.5 million program to speed development and commercialization of biofuels in America.

Of the $786.5 million fund, which will be drawn from President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $480 million will be used to build pilot- and demonstration-scale biofuel refineries, $176.5 million will be used to build commercial biofuel refineries and $130 million will fund various biofuel research programs.

Further, a new Biofuels Interagency Working Group was formed on Tuesday to promote biofuel use in America and reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. The panel consists of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

President Obama also announced that the U.S. EPA would launch a new study on the effect corn-based ethanol has on overall greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, almost 100% of all ethanol used in the United States is derived from corn, which is a significantly less desirable way to create ethanol than new cellulosic technologies.

[Source: Detroit News, DOE | Image Source: John Moore/Getty]

Continue reading Obama trying to give biofuels a bump

Obama trying to give biofuels a bump originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 May 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Bentley teases biofuel supercar

Alex Nunez — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Green, Supercars, Bentley

Click above for a high-res image of Bentley's new biofuel supercar

When the curtain rises on the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley will take a large share of the spotlight with the vehicle you see above. It has no name yet (it's simply referred to as the "Extreme Bentley" for now) and no technical specifics have been released, but what Bentley has revealed is that this will be the marque's fastest, most powerful production car yet... and it runs on biofuel. Visually, the grilles all have a blackout treatment, and sizable vertical intakes occupy the front bumper's outer edges. The hood also sports a pair of vents, presumably to help extract engine heat.

Given that the 600-horsepower/553-lb-ft Continental GT Speed currently owns the "most powerful production Bentley" title, look for more extreme ratings on this new, obviously Continental-based monster. As for the biofuel half of the equation, we expect to see an ethanol-drinking version of the twin-turbocharged W12 that propels the rest of the Continental range. In any case, a new Bentley's coming and it's fixin' to open up a plus-sized can of whoop-ass.

We'll learn more closer to the Geneva festivities, but if you happen to not be going to Switzerland in March and still want to see the flexfuel Bentley in person, head to the Big Apple in April. It'll be displayed at the New York Auto Show. Follow the jump for the official teaser video. It doesn't show much, but it essentially confirms that the Continental GT is the basis for the "Extreme Bentley." The coupe's familiar shape is outlined for all. (Thanks to Paul Tan for creating the embed.)

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Bentley teases biofuel supercar

Geneva Preview: Bentley teases biofuel supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From Royal Blue to Green: the Queen retrofits her Bentleys to run on bio-fuel

Noah Joseph — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Green, Bentley, Celebrities

Click above to view the Bentley State Limousine in our hi-res gallery

Britain's royal family may not have the power to legislate any new initiatives, green or otherwise, but the heads of state still wield influence over public opinion and have taken up the cause of environmentally-conscious motoring. Following the lead of her son and heir Charles, the Prince of Wales - who had his Aston Martin converted to run on old wine and his Range Rover, Jaguar and Audi to run on discarded cooking oil - Queen Elizabeth II is having her bespoke Bentley limos converted to run on bio-fuels.

The Bentley State Limousine is based on the Arnage, but custom-crafted in-house by the company's Mulliner coachbuilding division. Only two were ever made, at a reported cost of over $14 million a piece, one of which was presented as a gift to Her Majesty upon her Golden Jubilee in 2002, while the second was commissioned by the crown as a back-up. The four-ton armored vehicles, continuously maintained by Bentley, are powered by the company's perennial 6.75-liter V8 producing 400 horsepower, and will be converted to run on bio-fuel. Bentley says the royal family are big supporters of Crewe's initiative to switch to bio-fuels, as Bentley aims to offer all its models with flex-fuel capacity by 2012.

Gallery: 2002 Bentley State Limousine

[Source: The Daily Mail via Luxist]

From Royal Blue to Green: the Queen retrofits her Bentleys to run on bio-fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes runs out of gas by 2015

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Technology, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes -- like a lot of other folks -- believes oil is going to run out eventually. But instead of waiting until the "Low on Oil" light comes on, the brand behind the three-pointed-star has set a goal to convert its entire fleet to run on alternative fuels by 2015. That's seven years to get off the drink we've all been addicted to for well over a century.

In the pipeline first are fuel-efficient technologies such as Stop/Start on the marque's next A- and B-Class models sold in Europe. Then come the BlueEfficiency vehicles with Mercedes' supremely parsimonious diesel engines, and eventually the Diesotto first shown in the F700.

And then come the real showstoppers: ethanol, electric, and fuel cell vehicles. There are electric smarts running trials in London right now, and the F600 Hygenius is expected to eventually spawn some sort of production variant. On the face of it, seven years to go diesel- and gas-optional for an entire fleet is somewhat hard to fathom -- but the prediction is coming from a company not previously known for wild daring. Even if they just get close to success, in only seven years, they might prove a nearby rival wrong about what's doable under the new CAFE laws.

[Source: The Sun via AutoblogGreen]

Mercedes runs out of gas by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prince Charles' Aston runs on a gallon of sack... wine, that is

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Etc., Green, Aston Martin, UK, Celebrities

Prince Charles is not new to the environmental debate. His blue, 38-year-old Aston Martin, however, has had nothing to do with being environmentally friendly. Until now. The car, a gift from the Queen on Charles' 21st birthday, has joined the growing fleet of cars that run on bioethanol, having been converted to run on surplus British wine.

The wine comes from an English vineyard in Wiltshire, and the EU limits how much wine a vineyard can produce, so the vineyard sells the overage to Green Fuels, which turns it into biofuels and supplies it to the Palace.

The Aston can go ten miles on a gallon of gas, which would equate to 45 bottles of wine to go the same distance. The wine, though, puts out 85-percent less CO2 and costs £1.10 per liter, which is slightly less than the cost of gas. However, Charles only goes 300 miles in the car every year, and it's not like he's worried about gas prices, so the car won't make a difference by itself -- but he's got his royal heart in the right place.

[Source: Daily Mail]

Prince Charles' Aston runs on a gallon of sack... wine, that is originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sen. McCain proposes $300m prize for a better battery

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green, Technology

Petroleum prices are making electric vehicles and engines which run on biofuels look more and more attractive with each passing day. That's why its likely to be a hot topic this election season as each presidential candidate sets out his own unique proposals to ease the country into a new era of lower fuel consumption. Biofuels may be the quickest path to lower petroleum usage, but it's electric vehicles which present the biggest step forward in clean auto technology looking forward.

Both biofuels and battery technology are getting some love from Senator John McCain, who's set to propose a prize of $300 million for the first company who can build a better battery. That's a large sum of money, but it won't be easy to tap considering that the goal is for a battery with "the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars." Oh yeah, and do all that with a seventy-percent reduction in cost. That shouldn't be a problem, right?

[Source: The Detroit News]

Sen. McCain proposes $300m prize for a better battery originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oil independence possible according to DoE scientist

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green

A scientist in the U.S. Department of Energy's science and energy research unit has said "Energy independence is a realistic goal for the United State of America," by 2030. There are, of course, a few caveats to that. First is that by the word "independence," he doesn't mean not using any oil entirely -- he means getting oil consumption down to a point where our usage is "not subject to restraining or directly influenced by others as consequence of the need for oil."

That, Greene says, is an issue of economics, not one of politics or the military (inasmuch as they can be separated). The key is to get the cost of importing oil down to one-percent or less of the U.S. GDP, which, by the way, is where it was during the heady we-can-take-baths-in-oil-there's-so-much-of-it decade of 1990-2000.

Greene thinks the Energy Independence Security Act will be the guide leading the way to this kind of oil independence, due to the CAFE increase, decreased demand for thirsty vehicles, and increased production and demand for biofuels and alternative energy cars. So now that the oil situation is licked, the only thing you'll need to worry about come 2030 is paying $12 for a cob of corn.

[Source: WardsAuto]

Oil independence possible according to DoE scientist originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 HUMMER H2 and H2 SUT will be E85 compatible

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Hummer

In Dallas, a businessman has spent half a million dollars to install nine pumps that dispense E85, E10, and biodiesel. The catch: the businessman is a HUMMER dealer, and the pumps are next to his dealership. The station is called Classic Clean Fuels, and it is intended to make a statement for next year's H2 and H2 SUT, which will be the first production models to be Flex-fuel capable.

You won't need to drive a HUMMER to get E85 at the station. The pumps are open to the public, a first for a dealer-owned gas station. By 2010, GM has said all HUMMERs will be biofuel-capable. GM plans to market 15 Flexfuel models next year, but only one percent of the country's service stations sell E85. GM is using that as an opportunity to open the public's (and dealers') minds to putting alternative fuel stations in alternative places.

Said GM's Larry Burns, "Down the road we may even want to consider hydrogen dispensers at dealerships."

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

2009 HUMMER H2 and H2 SUT will be E85 compatible originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Science magazine declares ethanol worse for the Earth than fossil fuels

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Technology

Jon Markman at MSN Money doesn't hold back when he says "Corn-based ethanol production is sure to go down as one of the greatest mistakes ever in U.S. energy policy." It's even more provoking when he writes "replacing fossil fuels with corn-based ethanol would double greenhouse gas emissions over the next three decades. The studies show that switchgrass, an alternative to ethanol that's more weed than plant, would boost emissions by 50%."

The problem isn't with the cars, the problem is with what it takes to grow the biofuel in the first place. Clearing the land, harvesting, and refining the crops, plus the loss of forest and wild lands and habitats, amounts to creating a carbon footprint worse than fossil fuels. According to the Science article which, admittedly, posits an extreme scenario, it would take 423 years to even out the carbon debt if Indonesia's peat lands were converted to palm oil fields.

The research is starting to give some people pause, such as the folks at the European Union who declared they wanted ten-percent of the block's transport fuel to come from plants. And Joe Fargione of the U.S. Nature Conservancy asks, "Is it worth it? ...[S]urprisingly the answer is 'no'. These natural areas store a lot of carbon, so converting them to crops results in tons of carbon emitted into the atmosphere."

Thanks for the tip, Zo!

[Source: MSN Money]

Science magazine declares ethanol worse for the Earth than fossil fuels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab looks to downsize...engines, that is

Alex Nunez — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 11:37:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Technology, Saab

With stricter European emissions controls looming, expect to see Saab jump on the "less is more" (or, at the very least, "less is equal") bandwagon, joining companies like Renault and Volkswagen, which have begun implementing smaller engines that provide power comparable to larger units. In an interview, Saab Great Britain's managing director Jonathan Nash stated that smaller-displacement turbocharged E85 engines are likely to appear in the near term. Look for them to ape the success of the currently-available, larger BioPower engines that are top-sellers in Sweden. Those motors make more power on Ethanol than gasoline, and Saab feels it can go smaller without forcing drivers to accept a performance penalty. For consumers to take full advantage, their markets need to have readily-available E85 of course. Longer term, Nash says that the Biofuels and hybrid technology are probably the future of Saab, and you might remember that this combo was previewed last year in the Saab BioPower Hybrid concept.

[Source: 4Car]

Saab looks to downsize...engines, that is originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Oct 2007 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Koenigsegg drops a duo: CCGT and 1018 HP biofuel CCXR

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 20:29:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Supercars

Koenigsegg decided to release images and specs of the two supercars that will occupy their booth at next week's Geneva Motor Show. First, the CCXR, which is a standard CCX that's been converted to use ethanol and produces 1018 HP and 780 ft.-lbs. of torque. Those fortunate enough to already own a CCX can have their current vehicle retrofitted with the biofuel mill if desired.

The second vehicle to grace the stand will be the CCGT, which was produced in order to meet FIA GT1 series regulations. As such, the 806 HP supercharged 4.7L V8 has been nixed in order to bring power output down below the 600 HP mark. To do so, they removed the huffers and bored the V8 out to 5.0L. In addition to the HP reduction, the weight had to be increased and the aerodynamics had to be altered in order to meet regulations. Surprisingly, the aero changes produce less downforce than the standard CCGT. Devolving to meet racing standards is nothing new, but it still brings a little tear to our eye.

The press release is after the jump and expect a gallery of both vehicles up before night's end.

Continue reading Koenigsegg drops a duo: CCGT and 1018 HP biofuel CCXR

Koenigsegg drops a duo: CCGT and 1018 HP biofuel CCXR originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW working on internal combustion 2.0

Dan Roth — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Technology, Volkswagen

Picture this: we're no longer beholden to energy resources from unstable regions and we're no longer burning petroleum-based fuels in our cars. Despite the radical change in fuels, engines are largely the same, as is the fuelling infrastructure. While it sounds like a nice dream, Volkswagen has been hard at work making it reality. They've combined aspects of diesel and gasoline engines into their Combined Combustion System, realizing efficiency gains and emissions reductions.

Using Bosch piezo injectors that operate like those in diesel engines, providing multiple squirts of fuel directly into the cylinder prior to top dead center and after ignition, the CCS engine can achieve a long burn while keeping cylinder temperatures and pressure at bay. Holding the cylinder temps down also reduces oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust, the main problem with lean-burning engines' emissions. VW also has plans to use this engine technology as part of a hybrid drivetrain.

The most exciting part of the whole project is the new fuel that Volkswagen co-developed with German firm Choren Industries. The new fuel is synthetic and based on a combination of planted crops, bio-degradeable trash and waste from forest industries. That's right, it runs on trash, gets better mileage, doesn't pay a power penalty, can be filled up from conventional-style pumps and doesn't help fund unstable tinhorns. Put that in your tank and burn it!

More pictures after the jump

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading VW working on internal combustion 2.0

VW working on internal combustion 2.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Dec 2006 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turbos coming back to F1 in 2011?

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Green

Way back in the era known as the '80s, Formula One cars outfitted with turbos were making upwards of 1,500 HP, from engines as small as 1.5-liters. As time wore on and power went up accordingly, turbochargers were banned in the never-ending quest to bring power and development costs out of the stratosphere. Fast-forward over two decades later, and environmental concerns have made FIA president, Max Mosley reconsider the snail-ban.

During a conference in Munich this week, Mosley announced that a reintroduction of forced induction might take place by 2011. The lifting of the ban will not result in another horsepower arms race, but intends to make F1 vehicles more environmentally sound. Bio-fuel would become the prerequisite explosive material and revs would be kept above 15,000 RPM.

The article also hinted at Mosley's retirement, likely to take place in 2010.

[Source: Formula1.com]

Turbos coming back to F1 in 2011? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford backs off on 250,000 hybrid promise

John Neff — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green, Ford

Bill Ford announced that his company is backing off on a promise he made last September to produce 250,000 hybrid vehicles by 2010 in an email sent to company employees Wednesday. While many see the move as Ford reneging on his promise, the automaker is saying that it "intends to pursue a broader environmental strategy that focuses more on other alternative-fuel vehicles," according to The Detroit News, which obtained a copy of the email.

The email coincides with a letter sent to Congress penned by Ford and the CEOs of General Motors and DaimlerChrysler in which the trio promised to double their annual production of alternative-fuel vehicles to 2 million by 2010.

Ford stated in the email that the Blue Oval will focus more on other fuels like ethanol, clean-diesel and bio-diesel. In conjunction Ford is announcing a partnership with VeraSun Energy today to create an "ethanol corridor" with 50 new E85 pumps between Kansas City and Chicago.

The company still plans to go forward with its plans to produce a hybrid Mazda Tribute and hybrid version of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan in 2008.

Check out the nicely written article on Ford's new strategy by Bryce G. Hoffman and Deb Price of The Detroit News here.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Ford backs off on 250,000 hybrid promise originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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