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Advanced Clean Cars Program & California

eblock — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:23:48 +0000

Feb 5, 2012 – The New York Times has the following report about the Advanced Clean Car Program and California. Apparently it turns out to be 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Air regulators approved new car-pollution rules to cut down on smog and global warming they included a provision that critics described as a loophole that could substantially reduce the number of EVs sold in the state in coming years.

Under the new Advanced Clean Cars Program rules, approved last month, automakers will be required, beginning in 2018, to sell an escalating number of automobiles and light vehicles in California that can run on electricity, fuel cells or other zero-tailpipe-emission technologies.

But under a deal reached by automakers, the Obama administration and 2 senior California Air Resources Board officials, manufacturers that exceed new federal fuel-efficiency standards, even slightly, will be allowed to reduce the number of zero-emission vehicles they sell by up to 50 percent in 2018, a reduction that will drop to 30 percent by 2021.

The new rules also allow carmakers that do not meet their sales goals to purchase credits from other companies that surpass the goals, like Tesla Motors, a Bay Area company that plans to sell only electric vehicles and electric vehicle components.

Battery Maker Ener1 in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

LMerker — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:14:28 +0000

Ener1, which received a $118.5 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to make lithium-ion and other batteries for electric cars, filed for bankruptcy protection after the demise of a large customer.

It comes amid persistent criticism of U.S. President Barack Obama from Republican lawmakers about whether his administration is properly assessing “clean energy” companies before authorizing government support.

The Energy Department had in 2009 awarded the $118.5 million grant to Ener1′s EnerDel unit, as part of a government stimulus package to bolster the U.S. electric car industry.

For the entire story, please visit http://www.cnbc.com/id/46156363 .

Mercedes B180 Produces Less CO2

eblock — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:41:31 +0000

The neutral inspectors at the TÜV Süd technical inspection authority have confirmed the high environmental compatibility of the new Mercedes B-Class, awarding the compact sports tourer the Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard TR 14062. This certification is based on a comprehensive ecological life cycle assessment of the B-Class, documenting every detail of ecological relevance.

Green Energy Winning and Losing Sectors in 2011

LMerker — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:17:22 +0000

Not only is research and development pushing forward in so many different directions, certain technologies are evolving quickly, while others are just getting going.

For the first time, energy storage received the most venture capital funding ($514 million), displacing solar ($350 million). Solar also lost the No. 1 spot in deal volume. Energy efficiency was the most popular area, with 34 funding rounds.

Energy storage (e.g. batteries) — considered something of a silver bullet — still presents sizable technological hurdles, while efficiency is now clearly the low-cost, plain vanilla version of clean tech.

This rotation of sorts is commonplace in maturing industries.

By no coincidence energy efficiency and storage, specifically electric cars, along with the booming recycling business, are our three winners.

At the same time, the U.S. solar industry is clearly one of our three losers.

Nothing as fatal as those events struck the ethanol industry, our third loser, which is more a victim of conventional market forces and uncertainty over government incentives, a key element in the alternative energy sector.

All three losers, however, have one thing in common — momentum has temporarily shifted against them and that’s rarely good for keeping and attracting investors.

Source cnbc.com.

Mitt Romney’s Views on Conventional and Alternative Energy

LMerker — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:48:44 +0000

Mitt Romney has an excellent chance of becoming our next president. He won the primary in New Hampshire today.

His website contains a lot of excellent information about him and his views. For his views on conventional and alternative energy, please visit mittromney.com/jobs/energy .

Cellulosic Ethanol: Do You Have Any to Spare?

eblock — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:48:58 +0000

Jan 10, 2012 – Gasoline producers are being fined by the United States government for not blending in ethanol that was produced from cellulose. They would but there is no production quantities available. In 2012 they will be fined more because the amount that they have to blend in is greater. But there is none now and none expected in 2012. Do you have any cellulosic ethanol? Please contact the gasoline manufacturers. They will be happy to hear from you. Didn’t the Soviet Union economy collapse after trying to have the government manage the economy during most of the twentieth century?

2012 Detroit Auto Show

eblock — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:45:01 +0000

Jan 10, 2012 – The Detroit Auto Show is on. Are you there? More auto manufacturers are introducing hybrid and all electric cars, but does anyone want one now that gasoline prices came down in 2011? The category dropped to 2.2% of cars sold in the USA in 2011 from 2.2% in 2010. But, gasoline prices are projected to increase in 2012, especially with the saber rattling going on with Iran threatening to prevent oil from being shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Increased gasoline prices will get car buyers attention quickly. Please leave your comments here. What car have you bought in the last 12 months? Conventional gasoline? Hybrid? All electric? What would make you consider or buy a hybrid? an all electric?

Hyundai Elantra wins North American Car of the Year for 2012

LMerker — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:08:33 +0000

This is the car that my wife drives. We enjoy it very much. The four-cylinder engine with automatic transmission is very smooth. The engine is so quiet that it is easy to forgot to turn it off when parking. Interior space is utilized very efficiently and there is plenty of room in the rear seats. The trunk has a surprising amount of space. The hood is shorter than on many cars because of the efficient engine design. The air-conditioner is excellent in the Florida heat. Many features usually found on luxury cars are included such as a usb port, blue tooth for hand free cell-phone conversation through the car’s speakers and a built-in microphone. Gas mileage is up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway, a very green vehicle. Safety ratings are excellent.

For more details about award winning features, please visit http://www.hyundaiusa.com/research-tools/awards/elantra-ar_elantra_NACOTY.aspx .

New Hampshire Republican Primary

eblock — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:53:48 +0000

Jan 9, 2012 – The 2012 New Hampshire Republican Primary is tomorrow. Mitt Romney has a comfortable lead as of today. Will any more prospective candidates quit after this primary? Michelle Bachmann left after the Iowa caucuses. How will this affect green energy going forward? Please leave your predictions here.

Energy Saving Gifts

eblock — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:38:07 +0000

Dec 26, 2011 – What energy saving gifts did you receive? Did you get a hybrid car? Did you get a new Tesla? Did you get a solar radio? Please leave your comments here.