Autoblog

Move over Audi, now Chrysler has a beef with Tesla's claims

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Chrysler, Earnings/Financials, Tesla

In the same week that Audi said "not so fast" to some claims from Tesla, Chrysler has responded to a new press release from the California-based EV-maker by saying "not exactly, Tesla." The statement, released through the company's blog, comes in response to Tesla claiming it was "the only American car company to have fully repaid the government." Chrysler notes that it, too, recently paid back Uncle Sam from its 2008 bailout. Similar to Audi's recent press release, which was eventually and mysteriously deleted from the German automaker's site, Chrysler is both right and wrong in its statement.

Tesla specifically said that it had paid back the Department of Energy loans that many automakers received - including Fisker and VPG Autos - while Chrysler's retort argues Tesla is "unmistakably incorrect" since it repaid the government in 2011 a full six years early. Technically, the statements from both automakers are correct, but Tesla's startup loan originated from the DoE, while Chrysler's loan came in bailout form from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Further, as The Detroit News notes, Chrysler's loan still cost taxpayers well over a billion dollars after all was said and done - those negative assets tied to "old Chrysler" in the bankruptcy did not require repayment.

Move over Audi, now Chrysler has a beef with Tesla's claims originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker could file Chapter 11 as soon as this week

Zach Bowman — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Fisker

Fisker Automotive looks to be headed towards bankruptcy protection. Automotive News reports the automaker could file Chapter 11 as soon as this week as the US Department of Energy attempts to get the company to give back around $200 million in federal loans. The manufacturer's lawyers have already drawn up the necessary paperwork and are ready to file within the next few days, according to an unnamed source. The DoE is pushing Fisker toward bankruptcy after months of bickering between the two parties. Fisker had been courting buyers in both China and Europe in an attempt to stay solvent, but failed to bring in the necessary funds.

As a result, Fisker hasn't built a single vehicle since last summer, and no one has stepped up to buy any more of the $100,000 hybrid vehicles. Last Friday, the company laid off some 75 percent of its workforce in the US, leaving only around 50 executives behind to avoid breaching its contract with the DoE. Right now, the company has around $30 million in cash on hand and is staring down the barrel of a $10 million DoE loan payment in a few weeks.

Fisker could file Chapter 11 as soon as this week originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carbon Motors pulls out of Indiana plant, future uncertain

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Police/Emergency, Diesel

Three years ago, Carbon Motors chose one corner of a shuttered Visteon plant in Connersville, Indiana as the location to build its diesel-powered E7 dedicated police cruiser. Carbon intended to invest $350 million to start production, providing 1,500 jobs at the same time. That investment, however, relied the US Department of Energy approving a $310-million loan to Carbon through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, a loan that was ultimately denied.

Without that money, the arrival of the E7 and Connersville's return to manufacturing have apparently been put on hold. According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, Carbon's plant development officer wrote the mayor of the city, Leonard Urban, to tell him that he had resigned, and all traces of Carbon Motors have been removed from the plant, including Carbon Drive that leads to it. Urban said he has no idea what the company's plans are, and Carbon hasn't commented.

Carbon Motors pulls out of Indiana plant, future uncertain originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obama picks new leaders for Dept. of Energy and EPA

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

President Barack Obama announced his nominees to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy today. After speaking out about global warming in both his Inaugural Address and State of the Union speech this year, the President hopes that the new appointees will help lead the administration toward meaningful climate change policy-making.

Gina McCarthy will step from her current role as assistant EPA administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, to replace Lisa Jackson for that agency's top spot. Meanwhile, Ernest Moniz will replace Steven Chu as Secretary of Energy in the President's Cabinet. Both nominees will require confirmation by the Senate.

Moniz most recently held a position as the Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Energy Initiative, overseeing projects that angled to reduce greenhouse gasses. Despite this, his appointment has been met with skepticism from some environmental groups who don't like his record of partnering with big oil companies like BP, Shell and Chevron.

McCarthy has worked with both Democrats and Republicans in the past, including a stint with Obama's Presidential opponent, Mitt Romney. At the announcement, the President said of McCarthy, "Gina has focused on practical, cost-effective ways to keep our air clean and our economy growing."

Obama picks new leaders for Dept. of Energy and EPA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAA calls on US government to suspend E15 gasoline sales

Zach Bowman — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

AAA has released a statement urging government regulators to postpone the sale of E15 gasoline until more consumers can be educated on the fuel. According to the organization, 95 percent of drivers polled have never heard of the fuel, which is a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent traditional gasoline. What's more, AAA points out that only around 12 million of the 240 million light duty vehicles on the road today are approved for E15, including 2001 and newer Porsche models, 2012 and newer GM cars and trucks and 2013 Ford products, and that using the fuel in many vehicles could void their warranties.

Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency mandated pump stickers say the fuel is safe for virtually all vehicles 2001 or newer, but AAA experts warn that using E15 in older vehicles "could result in significant problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure."

The warning joins the chorus of opposition against the E15 roll out, including governors of states with heavy poultry farming. Farmers warn the year's weak corn crop is too thin to meet demand of both livestock and ethanol production, with a reported 40 percent of the year's corn destined to become fuel.

The ethanol industry has responded by saying the Department of Energy has done extensive testing on E15 by logging more than six million miles on the fuel. The DOE found "no statistically significant loss of vehicle performance (emissions, fuel economy and maintenance issues), attributable to the use of E15."

You can view the full AAA press release below for more information.

Continue reading AAA calls on US government to suspend E15 gasoline sales

AAA calls on US government to suspend E15 gasoline sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Did A123 Systems get $1M federal check the same day it declared bankruptcy?

Zach Bowman — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology

Automotive News reports A123 Systems, an electric vehicle battery manufacturer, received a disbursement check from the federal government on the same day the company filed for bankruptcy. On Oct. 16, A123 received $946,830 as the latest portion of a clean energy grant from the US Department of Energy. That was the same day A123 Systems filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following a failed attempt to secure funding from Chinese parts supplier Wanxiang Group. Of the original grant, $115.8 million is still outstanding, and despite the company's monetary woes, A123 Systems says it may still need the grant to update or expand its manufacturing capacity.

Republican Senators John Thune and Chuck Grassley wasted no time blasting the disbursement check as careless spending. The two issued a statement saying, "The Department of Energy needs to answer for why it appears to put federal grants on auto-pilot to the detriment of US taxpayers. This can't stand."

The Department of Energy, meanwhile, responded by saying the grant program requires companies to submit invoices detailing their progress toward predetermined goals before any funds can be issued.

Did A123 Systems get $1M federal check the same day it declared bankruptcy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hydrogen fuel cells may get a shot at batteries after all

John McElroy — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Electric

What Changed DOE Secretary Steven Chu's Mind About Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Natural gas now being retrieved from shale provides an enormous source of hydrogen.

He'll never use the word "fracking," but thanks to that new drilling technique, the U.S. Secretary of Energy now admits he's changed his mind about hydrogen fuel cells. That's because the abundance of natural gas now being retrieved from shale also provides an enormous source of hydrogen that, when coupled with new reforming technology, produces energy with a low carbon footprint.

When Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize winning physicist, was named Secretary of the Department of Energy in the Obama Administration, he quickly redirected much of the Department's automotive research efforts into battery electric vehicles. So much so that proponents of hydrogen fuel cells complained loudly that the Secretary was starving their research efforts.

Automakers will no doubt welcome the Secretary's change of heart. General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Daimler, BMW and Hyundai, not only have decades-long development efforts in this area, they claim they can have fuel cell cars showroom ready by 2015.

This is not to say Secretary Chu is giving up on battery development. He's not. Indeed, he expects big strides in battery development in the next decade. But it seems possible the Administration is looking to fuel cells as a "Plan B" in case BEV sales don't meet expectations. That would be an astute move.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every month he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Hydrogen fuel cells may get a shot at batteries after all

Hydrogen fuel cells may get a shot at batteries after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker loan spurs more questions from senators

Danny King — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Fisker, Electric

Um, about that $337 million.

Fisker Automotive and its pending federal government loan has spurred a letter from two U.S. senators to Energy Secretary Steven Chu questioning the appropriateness of the loan, The Detroit News reports.

In their letter to Chu, senators John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reportedly question the $529 million loan in part because of Qatar's ownership stake in the plug-in hybrid automaker. The senators also inquired about the loan earmarked for Fisker partner A123 Systems, the company whose batteries have been subject to a recall.

Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher tells The Detroit News that the company is staying out of politics and focusing on creating U.S. jobs. California-based Fisker was granted the loan in 2010 but has drawn down just $193 million to date.

Energy Department spokesman Damien LaVera argues the loan was an appropriate part of the federal government's effort to help boost fleetwide fuel economy and said Fisker's delays are "common for start-ups," according to the report.

Last week, Fisker debuted its first national advertising campaign in a multi-page Wall Street Journal ad that included a statement from company founder Henrik Fisker proclaiming that the automaker has "set out to redefine and reshape how the world thinks about cars." Fisker also recently widened its European distribution network.

Upon securing the original loan grant, Fisker was slated to hire 2,000 people at a Delaware factory that was formerly run by General Motors. Production of the Fisker Atlantic shown above, which was originally scheduled to be produced at the Delaware plant, has been delayed until at least 2014.

Fisker loan spurs more questions from senators originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyst predicts Fisker's demise; spokesman says that's premature

Autoblog Staff — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials, Rumormill, Fisker, Electric

Hiccup or death knell?

That's what watchers of California-based automaker Fisker Automotive are trying to figure out after the maker of the Karma plug-in luxury sedan laid off about 65 workers and contractors in Delaware and California while renegotiating loan details with the U.S. Department of Energy. Fisker, which was to receive a $529 million loan from the DOE, has received less than $200 million of that, with the fate of the balance in question because Fisker has not met certain loan conditions due to production delays.

Here's the death knell perspective: With the Obama Administration under political pressure to reduce spending, Fisker is unlikely to receive the remaining $336 million, Wunderlich Securities analyst Theodore O'Neill said in an interview with the Boston Globe. Without that funding, Fisker will go out of business, O'Neill said, adding that A123 Systems, which makes lithium-ion batteries for Fisker, will also likely go under.

But no, say others, the problem is temporary. Investment advice site Seeking Alpha, for example, says A123 is a "buy." Fisker also downplayed the issue, with its spokesman, Roger Ormisher, calling the shutdown a "bump in the road" in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Ormisher said production of the Karma hasn't been impacted, nothing that Fisker has delivered about 250 vehicles, and that the remaining DOE funds are to be used purely for the lower-priced Fisker Nina vehicle.

Fisker said in a statement last week that the company, which most recently received cash from the loan last May, is in talks with the DOE and raised $260 million in equity in late 2011. Fisker is pursuing "alternative funding sources," the company said in a Feb. 6 statement.

Additionally, the Orange County Register reported last week that a Fisker investor is suing the company for fraud. The plaintiff, Daniel Wray, invested $210,000 in Fisker and said the company informed him in January that he had to invest another $84,000 or risk losing the rights he gained with the original stock purchase. Ormisher told the newspaper at the time that he wasn't aware of the lawsuit.

Analyst predicts Fisker's demise; spokesman says that's premature originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler abandons plan seeking more federal loans

Zach Bowman — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, GM, Earnings/Financials

The Detroit News reports Chrysler is walking away from the company's pursuit of low-interest Department of Energy loans. The automaker originally applied for an $8.55 billion loan when it was still under Cerberus Capital Management, though the figure had since shrunk to $3.5 billion. The DOE, meanwhile, said it was considering a much smaller $2 billion loan with additional restrictions than were previously negotiated. The loan period would also be significantly shorter. Chrysler had sought the funds as a way to reduce the company's interest payments, which would have dropped by nearly 5 percentage points had the deal gone through.

Instead, Chrysler will use its own funds for capital improvements. The report says the company has nearly $11 billion in liquidity, though that figure includes $1.3 billion in an undrawn private loan.

Chrysler isn't the only automaker to walk away from DOE loans. General Motors pulled its application for a $14.4 billion loan last January. The funds would have gone toward retooling. The DOE and the Obama Administration have been hesitant to hand out more government money after the solar panel company Solyndra LLC received around $528 million loans before going bankrupt.

Chrysler abandons plan seeking more federal loans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker lays off employees, renegotiates with DOE [UPDATE]

Chris Shunk — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Fisker, Electric, Luxury

This isn't good. The Associated Press is reporting that Fisker Automotive has stopped production of the Fisker Karma (UPDATE: Not true, says Fisker PR: "We are currently producing 20-25 Karmas a day and will continue to do so.") and laid off 26 Delaware employees and 40 contractors in California. The carmaker is reportedly looking to conserve cash while attempting to renegotiate loans granted by the Department of Energy. (UPDATE: We have gotten a statement from Fisker about the situation, which you can read after the jump. The Karma is not mentioned, just work on the Delaware plant, which is supposed to build the Nina one day.

Fisker originally signed on for a $529 million loan, of which only $193 million has been received. Fisker reportedly cannot get at the remaining funds, which are earmarked for the delayed Nina project, because the automaker failed to meet Karma sales targets that were a condition of the loan. A few days ago, Fisker lowered its sales expectations for the $100,000 Karma ~~to a still very lofty 10,000 units in 2012~~.

Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher told the AP that the automaker is hoping for a speedy resolution to its cash crunch. We hope so too, or Fisker could be in a heap of trouble.

Continue reading Fisker lays off employees, renegotiates with DOE [UPDATE]

Fisker lays off employees, renegotiates with DOE [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carbon Motors petitions for federal loan with open letter to Obama cabinet

Zach Bowman — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Government/Legal, Police/Emergency, Specialty, Diesel

Carbon Motors, the manufacturer of the purpose-built E7 law enforcement vehicle, has sent an open letter to members of President Barack Obama's cabinet urging the administration to approve the company's Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan. Carbon Motors applied for a $300 million ATVM loan two years ago, but has yet to secure the funding. With members of congress eying any and all ways to stem the flow of government spending, there's some concern the ATVM loan program will dry up entirely.

The letter specifically underscores why Carbon Motors deserves its loan on a point by point basis, tackling everything from the environmental impact of the current fleet of law enforcement vehicles to the lack of coordination among law enforcement agencies as they attempt to retrofit retail vehicles for law enforcement duty. The company says that its diesel-powered E7 could reduce law enforcement fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 40 percent, and that building the vehicle could create as many as 10,000 jobs. Hit the jump for the full open letter.

Continue reading Carbon Motors petitions for federal loan with open letter to Obama cabinet

Carbon Motors petitions for federal loan with open letter to Obama cabinet originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi i tops 2012 EPA Fuel Economy Guide

Jeff Sabatini — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Mitsubishi, Electric

What's the most fuel-efficient vehicle sold in the United States? Well, for 2012 it's the Mitsubishi i, at least according to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

The federal agencies have issued the latest edition of their Fuel Economy Guide, and Mitsubishi's subcompact electric leads all vehicles with a combined rating of 112 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent. The Nissan Leaf is second at 99 MPGe, the Ford Transit Connect Electric is third at 62, and the Chevrolet Volt ranks fourth at 60 MPGe.

Of course, they're all electric vehicles (well, in the case of the Volt, a part-time EV), which is why their mileage numbers are listed as MPGe. The highest-rated vehicle powered by a conventional internal combustion engine continues to be the Toyota Prius, at 50 miles per gallon combined.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Mitsubishi i tops 2012 EPA Fuel Economy Guide

Mitsubishi i tops 2012 EPA Fuel Economy Guide originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla asks for another loan from the Feds

Chris Shunk — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Tesla, Electric

We haven't heard much from Tesla of late, but that may be because the upstart electric car maker is hard at work getting the Model S to market, as promised, before the end of 2012. The Model S itself is the product of a $465 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, but that's not the last round of loans Tesla has its sights set on.

SF Gate reports that Tesla has asked the DoE for another loan. Tesla spokeswoman Khobi Brooklyn reportedly confirmed that the loan application was completed, adding that the money would be used "in our continued mission to make more affordable electric vehicles." Tesla hasn't yet detailed the amount of money that has been requested, nor has it indicated if specific models would be built with the money.

The confirmation of a DoE loan request comes one week after Tesla defended the DoE's $25 billion clean energy loan program in the wake of the Solyndra solar panel bankruptcy scandal. Tesla points out that the Tesla loan resulted in 1,000 jobs and another 1,000 expected in the year ahead.

Tesla asks for another loan from the Feds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cummins developing four-cylinder diesel for Nissan Titan

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Technology, Nissan

Cummins-developed diesel being developed for Nissan - Click above for image gallery

Is Nissan making play for diesel? According to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, it sure seems that way... at least for pickup truck duty. Thanks to some cash from the U.S. Department of Engery, Cummins is developing a four-cylinder oil-burner, and it's currently nestled under the hood of a Nissan Titan. Cummins is looking to bump fuel efficiency by 40 percent compared to the current V8 mills being employed.

The current fuel economy target? A combined rating of 28 miles per gallon, which would mean the diesel-equipped Titan would be running at over 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Cummins is said to be targeting 220 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, and currently, the prototype engine is able to produce 350 pound-feet of torque at 1,800 rpm.

Cummins developing four-cylinder diesel for Nissan Titan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Feds delay auto-tech loans

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Ford, Nissan, Fisker, Tesla

The Department of Energy began its Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan program in September of 2008. Over 100 companies applied with monetary requests totaling $42.7 billion. The DOE has $25 billion to provide, and so far it's only handed out $8.5 billion. This is bad news for quite a few companies that were looking forward to receiving a helping hand. Of the 100 applicants, just four have completed the process and received funds.

Ford, Nissan, Tesla and Fisker have closed on their loans while a fifth company, Vehicle Production Group LLC, has been awarded funds but the deal has not yet closed. What's the holdup? That's the question many of the applicants and members of congress are asking.

The DOE has fallen behind schedule on the loan review process, term negotiations and seemingly all other steps involved. Also, due to rising costs involved with the program, it appears that the entire $25 billion will not be doled out. There may be just $10 billion left.

Some companies are still hoping for good news, like electric-vehicle builder Zap. Others, such as automotive parts supplier Tenneco, were approved but have yet to see a dime and have given up waiting.

[Source: Detroit News - sub. req.]

Report: Feds delay auto-tech loans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Carbon Motors still awaiting Fed loan approval, hoping to have first patrols on streets in 2013

Michael Harley — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Police/Emergency, Specialty

Carbon Motors E7 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Carbon Motors Corp. plans to deliver its first police car in 2013 - assuming the company's request for a $310 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy is approved. As we mentioned nearly three years ago, Carbon is diving into the rarefied purpose-built vehicle segment with the goal of delivering thousands of its "E7" police cars to municipalities across the country, powered by a BMW twin-turbo inline-six diesel engine.

Unlike the police cars typically put out by the Detroit 3, built on a modified civilian platform and returned to civilian duty at the end of its life cycle, the E7 will use an aluminum space frame covered in composite panels. Patrol-related hardware and flashing lights are already integrated, and since the body panels will be paint-free, graphics will be applied with vinyl decals. Sold directly to law enforcement agencies (not through a dealer network), the vehicles would be returned back to Carbon Motors at the end of their service life for reconditioning or dismantled for parts.

The automaker reportedly has the buyers lined up. "We have over 13,000 reservations from 350-plus law enforcement agencies in 48 states," says CEO William Santana Li. While the company is funded by private investors, it needs the Obama administration's loan approval to get rolling. The decision is expected over the summer. With the money in hand, Carbon Motors has scheduled deliveries to follow 36 months later.

Gallery: Carbon Motors E7 police car

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Carbon Motors still awaiting Fed loan approval, hoping to have first patrols on streets in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM awarded DOE money to research Shape Memory Alloy heat engines

Chris Shunk — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, GM, Electric

General Motors has been awarded $2.7 million by the Department of Energy to create a working prototype engine using Shape Memory Alloys (SMA). The idea is for the prototype to use SMA tech to capture heat energy from engine exhaust gasses via an electric generator and transfer that energy to recharge batteries for hybrids or electric vehicles.

SMA tech can also theoretically power electronic devices like power seats and windows in a standard gas- or diesel-powered car, perhaps even replacing the power-sapping alternator. The GM press release, which is pasted after the jump, doesn't go into much depth explaining how memory alloys work, but the basic principle is easy to understand.

"When you heat up a stretched SMA wire, it shrinks back to its pre-stretched length, and when it cools back down it becomes less stiff and can revert to the original shape" said Jan Aase, director of GM's Vehicle Development Research Laboratory. "A loop of this wire could be used to drive an electric generator to charge a battery."

While $2.7 million isn't a lot of coin in the realm of GM finances (the General seemed to shed about $2.7 million every ten minutes pre-bankruptcy) the grant was significant in that it was the only monies awarded by the DoE given to an automaker. GM is working with partners from outside the auto industry to make the concept a reality, a practice that the General says is imperative to get breakthroughs like this to market. No timetable was given as to when GM's SMA concept would see the light of day.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM awarded DOE money to research Shape Memory Alloy heat engines

GM awarded DOE money to research Shape Memory Alloy heat engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Congress approves three-wheelers for DOE funds

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge

Following months of debate, Congress has approved a bill that will pave the way for three-wheeled vehicle manufacturers like Aptera to qualify for funding from the Department of Energy. Next step: President Obama's desk, and the Commander-in-Chief is reportedly expected to sign the bill into law in short order. Rep. Brian Bilbray, a Republican from California who co-sponsored the bill, says:

This is a huge win for scientific innovation and the environment. We need more innovation and less regulation when it comes to promoting new ways to save energy while saving money at the pump.

Indeed, three-wheeled vehicle platforms sometimes have the potential to use less energy to operate than their four-wheeled siblings, though some still question the inherent safety of such designs. Assuming the bill passes the President's desk, any manufacturer of enclosed three-wheeled vehicles that can carry at least two adults while returning at least 75 miles per gallon will be eligible for funding, though the DOE will still approve applications on a case-by-case basis.

Gallery: Aptera

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Congress approves three-wheelers for DOE funds originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Energy Secretary Chu - "I would put every cent into electric cars"

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu has a penchant for making some straightforward statements about energy policy. He's said that electric vehicles are inevitable, for example, and that all American cars should be E85-capable. Recently, he apparently said that "if it were up to me, I would put every cent into electric cars."

This quote, which was relayed by unnamed alternative energy developers who were at a recent meeting on alternative fuels, is sure to stir up the whole hydrogen vs. plug-in cars debate that's been going on since the DOE slashed H₂ funding in May. The Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee responded by marking up the FY 2010 DOE budget and restoring the hydrogen vehicle funding.

If Chu did say what it's reported that he said, then it should be clear that it isn't an official reversal of the Senate's work. It just shows that there are some serious disagreements in Washington about how to best fund the future - and what that future should be. But the DOE is in charge of some big things and, this year, it has handed out billions in loan guarantees for plug-in vehicles, including money for Ford ($5.9 billion), Nissan ($1.6 billion), Tesla Motors ($465 million) and Fisker ($528 million).

[Source: Biofuels Digest]

REPORT: Energy Secretary Chu - "I would put every cent into electric cars" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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