OpEd by Lester Brown of the Earth Policy Institute.
Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen
102 Polo BlueMotions (actually, it's probably Polos BlueMotion, isn't it?) served as shuttles at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. This weekend, 50 of the low-emission vehicles will tool around Berlin in support of the ECHO music awards. The German music awards take place Sunday. While the car is cool (readers should be familiar with the 102 g/km CO2 stats - if not, see the links below), the best group of musicians that VW names in the press release as someone who will ride in a Polo BlueMotion this weekend is Simply Red. The car of the future, driven by the pop stars of the past.
Slightly more exciting is the exclusive Polo "First Act," developed by the Sound Foundation Polo, that will have its world premiere at the ECHO awards. This "Volkswagen Individual" vehicle features a 70-watt amplifier under the glove compartment.
Related:
- VW will bring 102 Polo BlueMotions to Geneva - one for each g/km of CO2
- Pictures of the Polo BlueMotion going to rock the UK with 72.4 mpg and 102 g/km CO2
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Filed under: Diesel, Emerging Technologies, Ethanol, Hydrogen, Mazda
The "Zoom-Zoom" campaign unifies Mazda's brand identity, and today Mazda announced how the company's environmental efforts will be unified under the new "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom" idea. The multi-faceted "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom" campaign fits in things like the Japan-only Smart Idling Stop System, hydrogen, rotary engines (c'mon, it's Mazda) and E85 into one name. Mazda says its primary focus "will include harnessing synergies with Ford and improving the HEV system of the Hydrogen RE Hybrid." The short explanation of what "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom" is is lighter cars using more efficient powertrains. All the details are after the jump.
Related:
- Mazda delivers hydrogen RX-8 to Japan Automobile Research Institute
- Geneva Motor Show: Mazda3 2.0 MZR-CD turbo diesel
MAZDA SETS LONG-TERM VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT: 'SUSTAINABLE ZOOM-ZOOM'
Mazda's technology development plan aims to harmonise driving pleasure with environmental and safety features
HIROSHIMA, Japan - Recognising the challenges of CO2 mitigation will require a concerted and coordinated effort between governments, the auto industry, the energy industry, suppliers and consumers. Mazda Motor Corporation has announced its long-term vision for technology development, "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom", as part of its brand value improvement initiatives. The plan also articulates Mazda's role in the automotive industry's response to global climate and transportation issues, outlining Mazda's efforts toward realising a sustainable environment for the future.
Amongst other aims, Mazda's primary focus will include harnessing synergies with Ford and improving the HEV system of the Hydrogen RE Hybrid. Introduction of Mazda's independently developed Smart Idling Stop System (SISS) is also planned for Japan.
In announcing the long-term technology development plan's vision, Seita Kanai, Mazda's director and senior executive officer in charge of R&D, said: "Mazda is committed to working towards a sustainable future that brings continued happiness and excitement to people in a global society, by developing vehicles that never fail to excite, visually capture the customer's heart and provide a fun driving experience that keeps bringing them back to Mazda."
Under the Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan, Mazda will pursue the harmony felt between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features, and the quest for an advanced Zoom-Zoom world.
Mazda's long-term vision will be supported by this new technology development plan. Elements of the technology plan include a drive to create captivating design, a renewed desire for continual driving pleasure and an ongoing mission to achieve improved safety and environmental features, all part of Mazda's goal of improving its brand value in the eyes of consumers.
Global environmental benefits will be sought by building highly efficient, clean powertrains and striving to reduce vehicle weight. Working toward a better transportation environment, Mazda is moving forward with Human Machine Interface (HMI) technologies. HMI supports accurate recognition and assessment of hazards, more compact design attributes, and improved vehicle dynamics to minimise the risk of collisions. Through the continuous development of a wide range of technologies, Mazda seeks a balance between driving pleasure and environmental safety features as part of its dedication to attain the goals set out in the Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan.
Mazda's key technical development initiatives are as follows:
1. Powertrains
- As part of Mazda's drive toward achieving a sustainable global environment for the future, Mazda will develop powertrains which unite advanced environmental performance with thrilling driving characteristics and which make cars so much fun to drive that people will keep coming back for more.
- For the future embodiment of Zoom-Zoom, Mazda will research hydrogen fuel technologies, with particular emphasis on internal combustion engine applications, as part of the goal of realising a hydrogen society in the future. During this development period, other practical technologies will also be introduced in line with the advancing social infrastructure.
- Introduce Mazda's independently developed Smart Idling Stop System (SISS) in the Japanese market in 2009.
- Introduce an E85 fuel-compatible flex-fuel engine to the Northern European market in 2009.
- Upgrade Mazda's gasoline engines toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010; increase performance and significantly improve fuel efficiency.
- Further evolve our clean diesel engine that has become popular in Europe, and introduce a new diesel engine that meets Japanese and North American long-term emissions regulations toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010.
- Introduce a new automatic transmission with improved fuel efficiency and performance comparable to that of a manual transmission toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010.
- Introduce a new generation gasoline rotary engine with enhanced power and fuel efficiency toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010.
- Begin commercial leasing of the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid in 2008. Increase its power by 40 per cent and achieve a 200 km range.
- Launch a vehicle with HEV system based on the Hydrogen RE Hybrid toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010.
- Develop an all-new Hydrogen RE with dynamic performance equivalent to a 3.0-litre gasoline engine and a range of 400 km.
- Design cars that people will want to drive at first sight; that people will recognise as Mazda at first sight; and that connect with the tastes of families.
- Offer new and exciting Mazda design cues.
- Present new proportions that are aligned with platform development.
- Seek to create vehicles that are fun to drive as well as safe, and invent technologies that allow the designers the freedom to create captivating styling which attracts the eyes of potential buyers.
- Seeking a sustainable future transportation environment, offer vehicles that have a comfortable ride together with excellent safety features such as collision avoidance systems.
- Reduce vehicle weight to improve handling and cut CO2 emissions.
- From 2010, steadily develop safe, lightweight new generation platforms with eye-catching design and excellent dynamics.
- Achieve a weight reduction of approximately 100 kg for the new Mazda2/Demio due for launch in 2007, as compared to the current model.
- Introduce safety technologies with Mazda's Zoom-Zoom DNA to make cars easier to operate, such as a Human Machine Interface (HMI) system that supports accurate recognition and assessment of hazards and user-friendly collision avoidance dynamics.
- From next year, start an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) verification experiment in the Hiroshima area to examine safety in collaboration with the government and the local community.
- Expand the applications of carbon neutral bioplastics that were developed in collaboration with government, industry and academia. Utilise bioplastics in the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid that is scheduled to begin commercial leasing in 2008.
- From 2008, make our paint shops the cleanest of any plant in the world by evolving our Three Layer Wet Paint System with our unique water-based painting technology
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Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, PSA
The new C-Class Peugeot 308 will go on sale in early 2008 and AutoExpress is reporting that a diesel hybrid version will be available about six months later. The Focus sized 308 will have a 1.6L turbodiesel mated up to an electric motor and battery pack. There's no word on what kind of battery will be used, but start-stop capability and regenerative braking will be in place.
The four door, five seat 308 is expected to get a combined rating of 69.1 mpg and CO2 emissions of 90g/km, putting it almost on par with the much smaller Smart ForTwo CDi. That would make it by the cleanest, most efficient car in it's class, and drivers in London wouldn't have to pay the congestion tax. The hybrid 308 will be able on run on battery alone up to 30 mph and would be the first diesel hybrid car to go into production.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Filed under: Biodiesel
Who will curb America's dependence on foreign oil? We're not quite sure yet, but burger chain Carl's Jr. will at least play some part in making sure that some diesel vehicles operated by certain Carl's Jr restaurants in Arizona will use self-made biodiesel. In Arizona, many Carl's Jr. restaurants (52) are owned by MJKL Enterprises, LLC. MJKL announced yesterday that it is committing to "fueling 100 percent of Arizona fleet vehicles with vegetable oil by 2010."
What is left vague is if these vehicles will be using B99 or B20 or what. The company is saying that the vehicles will use an "alternative fuel derived from waste vegetable oil (WVO) collected at their Arizona franchise locations by early 2010." MJKL currently uses a "mixture of diesel and waste vegetable oil that has undergone filtration and treatment using a proprietary process owned by MJKL, LLC" in some of its Jeep, Dodge, and Ford models.
Related:
[Source: MJKL Enterprises, LLC]
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Filed under: Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, MPG, Chevrolet, GM, Legislation and Policy
Beth Lowery, Vice President, GM Environment and Energy, has posted a new entry on the GM Fastlane blog site. She gives her personal thoughts on GM's stance on the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards and their role in changing the environment. She sets out to dispel what she refers to as "two long-time myths" regarding GM. The first is that "GM doesn't care about the environment", the second is that "The CAFE program works." It is clear that GM has something to either gain or lose if CAFE standards are raised, as many are pushing for. She says that "we believe that it is the company's obligation to society" to "to develop new vehicles, powered by new systems running on alternative fuels as the only way we'll be able to grow our business and meet the world's growing energy demands."
I would say that it is the obligation of every person and corporation to examine their impact on the environment and make whatever changes are necessary and feasible to reduce their own "footprint," as they say. That seems like common sense to me. GM is actually doing a very good job of investing in alternative fuels and technologies these days, despite the fact that some claim they "killed the electric car" a while back. Will they revive it with the Volt and their E-Flex platform? Perhaps, with the assistance of smaller companies who are working on their own electric cars.
[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]
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Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Volvo
Earlier this week Volvo's heavy duty group showed off a new diesel hybrid bus in Brussels, Belgium. The in-house developed system is a parallel hybrid system designed for use in trucks and buses. As part of the presentation, Volvo also gave details on their Integrated Starter Alternator Motor (I-SAM) that is part of the system. Volvo is claiming their system can provide fuel consumption savings of up to thirty-five percent. They are also adapting the system to off-road construction equipment like front-end loaders, where they estimate fuel savings could be up to fifty percent. Since these types of vehicles, typically don't travel very long distances, and start and stop a lot, the regenerative braking could definitely yield huge savings. Release after the jump.
[Source: Volvo Group]
At an event held today at the Bibliothéque Solvay in Brussels, Belgium, the Volvo Group presented its internally developed and unique hybrid solution for heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses. The event is part of the Volvo Group's efforts to make commercially viable hybrid technology for heavy vehicles available on the market.
Among other activities, the participants can see and test-drive a bus with hybrid drive and, in addition, the Volvo Group's hybrid concept I-SAM (Integrated Starter Alternator Motor) is being presented in detail. I-SAM can provide fuel savings of up to 35% depending on use and driving conditions. The vehicle's maintenance costs can also be reduced through less wear on the braking system. The Volvo Group is also developing hybrid technology for construction equipment such as wheel loaders, in which the fuel savings can be up to 50%.
"The increasing awareness regarding climates issues and the uncertainty regarding the supply of oil, with resulting increased fuel prices, makes our hybrid technology highly attractive for our customers as well as society as a whole," says Jan-Eric Sundgren, responsible for public and environmental affairs in Volvo's Group Executive Committee.
The Volvo Group is a leader in hybrid drive for heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses and in March last year presented a unique hybrid solution that has great potential of becoming commercially viable. Production of the first vehicles is expected to start in 2009.
March 20, 2007
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Filed under: Flex-Fuel, Hydrogen, Mazda
Mazda has delivered another of there hydrogen fueled RX-8 REs, this time to the Japan Automobile Research Institute. The RX-8 RE is a dual fuel version of the Wankel Rotary powered sports car, able to run on either gasoline or hydrogen, much like the BMW Hydrogen 7. JARI is involved in developing standards for a Hydrogen Economy Society in conjunction New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. Hydrogen RX-8s have been running on public roads in Japan since October 2004 and six cars have been delivered to government and private groups in the past twleve months.
Related:
- Mazda's RX-8 Hydrogen RE hits the snow and ice for the first time...
- Mazda hydrogen-powered RX-8 seen outside Japan for first time
JARI is working with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)*2 on the Establishment of Codes & Standards for a Hydrogen Economy Society project. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE will be used as part of its R&D activities to review the regulations regarding the safety of hydrogen vehicles, establish examination and evaluation techniques and create proposals for international standards. The hydrogen supply will mainly come from JARI's own hydrogen station at their facility in Tsukuba city.
Mazda is independently developing hydrogen cars with rotary engines as part of its efforts to promote an environmentally friendly society. It attained approval to test the RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle on public roads in Japan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) in October 2004. Since March 2006, Mazda has supplied six vehicles to government and private enterprises for use in various events and initiatives. From February 19 through 23, 2007, Mazda collaborated with the MLIT's Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau (HRDB) to conduct cold weather testing of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE in Muroran city, Hokkaido Prefecture. The vehicle delivered to JARI is the seventh RX-8 Hydrogen RE that Mazda has supplied.
*1 JARI is a public-service corporation of a test research organization established in April 1969. Its aim is to contribute to the healthy growth of automotive society by gaining a precise understanding of social needs through a wide range of research and vehicle testing. It is also dedicated to giving the results of its research and testing back to society to aid the public good.
*2 NEDO was established in 1980 through both public and private funding as a reservoir of expertise and technological strength. It is a research and development organization that focuses on industrial technologies to promote the creation of new industry and clean energies to solve to world's environmental problems.
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Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Etc., Volkswagen
We told you previously about DARPA Urban Challenge and the Volkswagen Passat from defending DARPA Grand Challenge winners the Stanford Racing Team. Now there is a second team entering with a Passat TDi wagon, this time from Germany in the form of Team-LUX. The Hamburg based team appears to be taking a more minimalist approach than other competitors. It looks like the vehicle will rely only on a trio of laser scanners, one in each front corner and the third in the rear, as well as a GPS receiver. Based on the location from the GPS and the proximity to other objects from the scanners, the ECU will control the steering, brakes and accelerator. To see if this limited data will be enough keep the car on course reliably we'll have to wait until November.[Source: Team-LUX via Engadget]
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