Environmentales

Chang'an Automotive Group made another hybrid car for the China car market. This new hybrid car was revealed in China and buyers are expected to get it next year.

Ford and Suzuki are the known partners of Chang'an and they all collaborated in building this new car which was made a part of a government-sponsored advanced-technology research program.

There are plenty of car makers opting to make hybrid cars be sold in the China car market. This movement is because of the growing demand on hybrid cars even in the Asian car market. Chery, SAIC and BYD are just a few among the car makers opting to build hybrid cars for 2008 to 2009. General Motors has mentioned its plans to begin selling a gas-electric version of the China-market Buick LaCrosse next summer - just before the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Jiexun crossover vehicle was revealed by Chang'an last week. According to the officials during the interview, the new car is set to go out for competition with Euro IV emissions standards and has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent. It also handles a fuel economy of 36 mpg with its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor.

The maker also gave the new hybrid car a very stylish look. And it is expected to come having the same price tag as Jiexun HEV but is higher than the expected standard gasoline-powered Jiexun - around $20,000, or roughly half the price of the China-built Toyota Prius. The Chinese car company is planning to donate 10 Jiexun HEVs to the Beijing Olympics.

According to Ford’s press release, the first Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid demonstration fleet was brought to Southern California Edison for further evaluation and testing during the first few days of the month. Under the exceptional two-year joint venture with the utility corporation, a 20-unit Escape will be tested in California, first in the utility’s electric vehicle fleet, and later with chosen residential clients.

“To deliver the superior fuel economy of our PHEVs to the customer – at a value that is not cost prohibitive, we are working with our partners, Southern California Edison, to identify new business models. Such models could address battery ownership issues and customer, utility and automaker value as it relates to the electrification of vehicles,” says Sherif Marakby, the chief engineer for Ford’s Global Core Hybrid Engineering.

“While much progress has been made to date, certainly, many significant technical hurdles need to be overcome before a vehicle such as the Edge with HySeries Drive can become a reality. These types of vehicles remain prohibitively expensive. The single biggest hurdle to plug-ins remains the cost of lithium-ion batteries. In addition, much work also needs to be done to make fuel cells more durable and to create a hydrogen infrastructure,” says Mujeeb Ijaz, the manager of fuel cell vehicle engineering.

What are the coolest stuffs today aside from the modern window regulators? Yup, lithium-ion batteries are one of these! It was the headline a few days ago in Fox Business News stating the confirmation of Charles Gassenheimer, chairman of Ener1 Inc., that the automotive energy group will bring out their innovative Lithium-ion battery to several markets by the end of 2008!

Here are some of Gassenheimer’s statements published at TheAutoChannel.com:

"Our batteries have already been tested by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium, which is General Motors, Ford and Chrysler," Mr. Gassenheimer told viewers of the Fox morning broadcast "CEO Corner." "We are the only battery company today using this Lithium-ion technology, which has met or exceeded all of the Big Three's requirements, especially and most importantly best-in-class in safety."

"We have already announced a commercial contract with Think Electric Vehicle in Norway," Gassenheimer added, referring to a $70 million development and supply agreement signed in October. "It's the largest electric vehicle company in Europe. You will see our batteries in their cars by the end of 2008." 

"Much of the world now, including Detroit, grasps that more efficient internal combustion engines and biofuels such as ethanol will not bring about the major environmental improvements and freedom from foreign oil that the times demand. That the Lithium-ion battery is the Holy Grail is now a given, and we and others have proven that it's a fully realizable technology for revolutionizing automotive transportation," added Mr. Gassenheimer.

The newest breed of small and eco-friendly cars from Volkswagen will blow your knock sensors! Ladies and gentlemen, the Up! two-door city expert car providing extra space and excitement for four, the Space Up! four-door microvan with the greatest changeability and the Space Up! Blue with zero emissions! How about that for a triple treat?

“For both my team and for me, it was a dream to design these concept vehicles because these cars embody the emergence of a new era. Anyone looking at the New Small Family will immediately see how friendly and neat these Volkswagens are. Cars of this sort are fun. No explanation is needed - they speak for themselves,” confirmed Walter de Silva, the Chief Designer of Volkswagen Group, at the start of the press conference.

“That was perhaps also because every Up! also demonstrates commitment to protecting our environment. After all, extremely clean petrol and diesel engines and electric motors will be working in the backs of these cars,” says Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, a Board Member with responsibility for Technical Development at Volkswagen.

Who on earth is responsible for this outstanding breakthrough? Picture this - the best and the easiest way to melt snow and ice during the winter season lies on two basic household stuff… salt treated with sugar! How sweet is that? This product is even hotter than my Lexus LS400 radiator!

According to my source, Sears Ecological Applications Company (SEACO), a Rome, NY-based company that concentrates in de-icing expertise, discovered this ice-melting solution. SEACO has improvised an original formulation called Ice B'Gone® after ten years of thorough study and testing. Ice B'Gone® is capable of transforming the way roadways are maintained clear and protected throughout the cold winter season. It is also paving the path to a road leading to a greener environment as well.

"It's one thing to talk about being 'green' and another to actually do something about it. We believe that in order to be a viable part of the green movement, every individual and business has a responsibility to think globally and act locally when it comes to preserving and protecting the environment. We chose to be forward-thinking and use our intelligence, experience, knowledge and vision to develop a truly unique product that is both effective and consistent with current green initiatives," explained Howard P. Sears, Jr., the company principal.

The idea behind Ice B'Gone(R) is dazzling in its plainness. SEACO's chemists learned that LMWCs, or sugars, when combined with chloride salt, causes an astonishing freeze point and deterioration decrease.

"Traditional de-icing products like pure rock salt and salt treated with brine are not nearly as effective, especially in colder temps. They're used primarily because they're the least expensive. But when you factor in all of the cost savings associated with our product, it's clear that Ice B'Gone(R) provides both superior economy and value, not to mention important environmental, health and safety benefits that other products on the market simply can't offer," explained David Wood, the president of SEACO.

"We're trying to change that mindset by educating elected officials and key decision-makers about the product's immense value, but it has indeed been a challenge. Several New England and Mid-Atlantic states as well as interstate highway systems have already embraced our product and are seeing that it's safe, reliable, consistent and cost-effective. There's absolutely no downside to it,” explained Wood.

"We want other cold weather states, and particularly New York State, to see the tremendous multiple advantages this product has and the widespread benefits it brings to highway maintenance departments, the motoring public, and all taxpayers. And once they see how it can make everyone's life easier, they're going to wish they had gone this route sooner," Wood continued.

The leading advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies FEV has announced its partnership with a famous company -  Raser Technologies, Incorporated (Raser Technologies). Together, they would make Raser Technology's Symetron(TM) electric motor and power electronic drive powertrain technology available in future hybrid cars. According to the makers, this new equipment is sure to give hybrid plug-ins a hundred person fuel-economy for it boosts fuel efficiency up to 100 mpg.

The two companies are involving themselves in the movement to build more fuel efficient cars in the US. This is also a movement that follows the stricter commands of the government regarding standard emission rates. The collaboration also supports the US Environmental Protection Agency.

"We look upon this project as an opportunity to demonstrate powertrain innovation. The speed of change in the powertrain industry requires vision and rapid development. Through projects such as this in conjunction with Raser, we are able to apply practical technologies that will result in reduced fuel consumption and preservation of our environment," said Gary Rogers, the president of FEV's U.S. operations.

“We are excited to be working with FEV on this project. FEV is a global leader in powertrain and vehicle integration with extensive experience in powertrain development for OE customers. This experience will enable Raser Technologies and FEV to develop a viable vehicle with application in today's marketplace,” said Jim Spellman, Raser's vice president of transportation. I just wish that its cheaper than the Acura CL clutch kit right?