Sam Abuelsamid - Autoblog

Aston Martin Cygnet – Click above for high-res image gallery

Last week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposals for new fuel economy labels and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has responded with a thumbs down. Specifically, NADA is unhappy with the proposed letter grades that would indicate where the labeled vehicle stands relative to its direct competitors. NADA is concerned that the new grades w

For those Americans who are still employed and have to drive to work every day, the continuing low pump prices for gasoline have been a boon. The current national average of $2.68 a gallon for regular is equivalent to an inflation-adjusted $1.01 per gallon in 1980. While that's certainly good for household budgets in a struggling economy, it doesn't provide much incentive to buy fuel efficient vehicles at a price premium. With the new Chevrolet Cruz

We recently got the following query from reader Felipe about electric vehicles (EVs) and we thought the answer would be of interest to many readers who are considering purchasing or leasing one of the upcoming crop of plug-in vehicles:

Early in 2006, director Chris Paine first screened his film Who Killed the Electric Car at the Sundance Film Festival and turned the media spotlight on Sam Abuelsamid

By now we're all aware that the environmental impact of cars and trucks goes well beyond the emissions produced during operation. There is the energy used to produce and dispose of the vehicles and their components, for example, and the cost of getting the fuel for the vehicles out of the ground and into the tank. The impact of making nickel metal hydride batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) was the center-piece of a controversial study Sam Abuelsamid

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford Focus EV – Click above for high-res image gallery

The on-track testing portions of the Automotive X-Prize are over with, and the vast majority of teams have been eliminated from contention. However, the $10 million in prize money won't be handed out until September 16. Before those checks are signed, the remaining competitors will have to complete a drive cycle on a dynamometer at the Argonne National Labratory. The dyno results will be averaged with the on-track results and t

Hyundai made some news last fall when it launched the all-new 2011 Sonata with a four-cylinder-only engine lineup. It now looks like General Motors might be following suit for its mid-sizers. By leaving out larger V6 engines as a possibility, Hyundai was able to design a lighter structure while still meeting new safety requirements and maintaining

Prospective owners of the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf shouldn't get too excited about driving in California carpool lanes as soon as they take delivery. Late Tuesday night California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 535

Electric vehicles (EVs) may be dramatically less mechanically complex than their traditional internal combustion counterparts, but that's where the simplicity ends. The battle that began with Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla over direct vs. alternating current continues to this day, the battlefield has just shifted to the EV powertrain. Electrochemical batteries can't store alternating current, the electrons will only flow directly in or o

General Motors confirmed this morning that November 11, 2010 has been set as the official Job 1 date for the Chevrolet Volt. The news initially reported by Translogic was verified to AutoblogGreen by GM spokesman Rob Peterson. November 2010 has always been the targeted production laun

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has developed a new hybrid turbocharger that could further enhance the possibilities for improving fuel efficiency through downsizing. Turbochargers have traditionally be used as a way of to recycle some of the thermal and mechanical energy that normally flows out the exhaust pipe and to force more air into the engine. The exhaust gases spin a turbine that sits on a common shaft with a compressor that blows air into the intake.

2010 Mercury Milan hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Making Chrysler's foam seats – Click above to watch video Sam Abuelsamid

It doesn't matter which party is in power in Washington (or state capitals, for that matter), companies that are spending billions of dollars to develop new products and technologies will spend at least a fraction of that amount to lobby politicians for policies that give them a leg up in the market. That's just what Ford, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and countless others are doing when it comes to "green vehicle" technology.

Smart ED – Click above for high-res image gallery

2012 Infiniti M35 hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Proposed window stickers for plug-in hybrid vehicles – click above for high-res image gallery

Yet another cellulosic ethanol project launched recently, this time in Alpena, MI with Governor Jennifer Granholm on hand for the ribbon cutting. The facility will be run by American Process Incorporated (API) and will produce ethanol from waste materials produced by an adjacent hardwood plant that is run by Decorative Panels International.