Environmentales

Isn’t it nice when you can’t find any trace of CO2 on giant vehicles like trucks - it’s way even cooler than the Mercedes Benz spoiler and other awesome stuff, right? Believe me when I say that there are carbon-dioxide free trucks today! Yup, it’s a fact! And only one great brand is responsible - it’s Volvo! Check out this story I got from TheAutoChannel.com!

Based from the information I gathered, the Volvo Group is the very first car maker to manufacture seven demonstration trucks that can all be maneuvered without releasing any unwanted environmentally damaging carbon dioxide. It’s the first time that these seven trucks from the Volvo Group were introduced to the industry and they are said to be equipped with diesel engines that has undergone further modification to function on seven different forms of renewable gaseous and liquid fuels.

“Volvo is part of the climate problem, but today we have shown that carbon-dioxide free transports are a possibility and that we as a vehicle manufacturer both can and will be part for the solution to the climate issue,” says Leif Johansson, the CEO of the Volvo Group.

All seven Volvo FM trucks are set and packed with Volvo’s exclusive 9-liter engines that have been especially adapted by the Group’s engineers. This was designed to demonstrate the potentials of carbon-dioxide-free transportation. Road transport accounting for a sum of 10 percent and over 14 percent of total worldwide carbon-dioxide emissions will come from the transport region according to the widely publicized Stern report. Nevertheless there are no concrete details whether the percentage of these emission levels that in turn started off from cargo transport. Passenger cars represent 60% of carbon-dioxide emissions and cargo transport for the remaining 40% specifies that cargo transport will account for about 4-5% of total global carbon-dioxide emissions.

“As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of heavy trucks, diesel engines and buses, the Volvo Group is part of the climate problem,” says Leif Johansson, CEO of Volvo. “But environmental issues are one of the areas which we have assigned the very highest priority, and based on our resources and knowledge, we both can and will be part of the solution.”

“The diesel engine is an extremely efficient energy converter that is perfectly suited to many different renewable fuels, liquid or gaseous,” says Jan-Eric Sundgren, member of Volvo Group Management and Senior Vice President, Public and Environmental Affairs. “With our know-how in engine technology and our large volumes, we can manufacture engines for several different renewable fuels, and also create possibilities for carbon-dioxide-free transports in such other product areas as buses, construction equipment and boats.”

“With these vehicles, we have shown that Volvo is ready, that we possess the technology and the resources for carbon-dioxide-free transport, but we cannot do this alone,” says Leif Johansson. “We also require large-scale production of renewable fuels and putting such production in operation requires extensive investments in research and development, and also well-defined, common guidelines from authorities in as many countries as possible.”

People are craving for hybrid cars nowadays and car makers are producing more hybrid vehicles to give out what is the demand of the market. It seems so interesting, isn’t it? What is behind this thing anyway? What is it with such a machine that has gone capturing the attention of everyone?

Aside from the captivating looks of vehicles today emphasized by nice looking tail lights and bumpers, people are looking over the performance of the vehicle. Some people make sure there’s an efficient Audi air filter. Most of them check out if the car provides an efficient fuel economy. That is to save money as well as help the environment.

As with the manufacturer’s thoughts, the production of hybrid cars is accomplished with lesser effort. That is since most hybrids are small and fuel efficient.

Hybrid cars are powered with combined energy of efficient gas engines and electric motors which collaborate to create wonderful accelerations. Such an electric motor is known to be powered with batteries that are recharged automatically.

As based from activehybrid.com, I have been aware of the top five reasons as per why one should purchase a hybrid. Here they are:

1. Hybrid cars are typically smaller and have more efficient engines. – Its efficiency is brought about by the vehicles’ small size and lightweight materials. Hybrid cars are composed of regenerative braking. With it, the electric motor that drives the hybrid acts as a generator and charges the battery while the car is slowing. Hybrids also have periodic engine shut off. In that case, when a hybrid is topped in traffic, the engine is temporarily shut off. On the other hand, when the car is put back in gear, the car starts automatically.
2. Hybrid cars are friendly to the environment. – This is because hybrid idles less and is more fuel efficient. It has better gas mileage compared with the conventional gas engine. Such engine consumes less gas and therefore produces less pollution. They have the capability to produce 90% fewer harmful emissions.
3. Hybrid cars utilize the newest technology and offers sleek, aerodynamic designs. - This is to reduce drag. Friction on the road is reduced with the use of low-rolling resistant tires made of special rubber. Reliability has been set forth in the high capacity nickel-metal-hybride battery. It helps reduce the drag of the when driving. It is equipped with power-train technology to enhance driving performance.
4. Car manufacturers are now starting to offer more choices and styles in hybrid cars. – Examples are: Honda Civic, Ford Escape, C15 Silverado, C15 Sierra, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius and a lot more.
5. There is a tax advantage for purchasing a hybrid car.

Impressive, isn’t it? Well, those listed above makes people choose a hybrid when in the market for a new car.

I have been looking over few concerns for the past days. And, this just not involves hybrid cars but rather all types of vehicles. Above all, efficient safety has been in my mind.

Traveling with your baby is not just as easy as having her on your lap or next to your seat could get pretty tiring neither could she be comfortable with a seatbelt - it certainly is a need to invest on a child safety seat. Cars are not designed for children, but a wide range of child safety seat is available depending on your child’s age to give your kids that kind of comfort that you are currently enjoying.

Fitting a child seat on your car is really time consuming and frustrating. It’s not as easy as 1-2-3. But they are complicatedly designed as they are complicated to use so as to ensure your child’s protection - a good reason to consume a little extra time and a little more patience fussing and fitting it in your vehicle. Be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your child’s safety seat or else you’ll end up having your child in more danger than your child may have been without the seats. You don’t have to hesitate replacing your baby’s seat when it’s already not in good condition. Your baby’s safety is your highest concern - not your pocket. If you notice cracks on your baby’s seat, your have to replace it. Baby’s seats are made of ABS plastic.

As airbags are for adults, they are a risk for babies for airbags could actually kill them. Use a rear facing baby seat or switch the airbag off if possible when you’re putting the seat in front passenger seat. But when she’s below 20 lbs, it is more likely safer that you use the rear facing baby seat. Most cars can actually switch off the passenger air bag using a key.

How precious your child is to you means that it is important to choose the right baby’s seat for her. Although it can be very difficult picking the best one for your baby from hundreds offered by different manufacturers, you don’t need to worry because you are assured that they have passed strict government tests. However, you don’t just pick one that catches your eye, or the best one you can afford - you have to choose one that snugly fits your baby and makes them comfortable. It should also be able to anchor to the car securely. There are some designed combined with a baby’s stroller. Be sure that you buy your baby’s seat from a reliable shop and not just from any stalls because you don’t just go shopping for baby’s seat like you go shopping for your baby’s clothes. Choosing a child’s safety seat is as complicated as choosing a car.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles are what we want, but automakers are still unable to come up with a practical PHEV. The reason is the power storage device needed to adequately power a vehicle on its own is yet to be developed. Automakers like General Motors, Toyota, and Nissan have poured in millions in developing a Li-ion battery pack for plug-in hybrid cars. Unfortunately though, the challenge of making a Li-ion battery safe for automotive application is yet to be overcome.

After reports came in that General Motors will be teaming up with A123Systems Inc. in developing a new Li-ion battery pack for the Chevy Volt, another partnership was announced which was also aimed at the development of a Li-ion battery pack. This partnership though does not involve an automaker. Enerize Corporation, a newcomer to the alternative energy industry, and FiFe Batteries Limited, a developer of new generation Li-ion batteries, will be working hand in hand in the development of a Li-ion battery which can withstand automotive application.

According to the companies, they will be using advanced electrode materials based on the ones developed by FiFe Batteries. The use of the developed materials on the new generation Li-ion batteries will increase the battery unit's reliability. It will also reduce power loss through self discharge and it will also reduce the cost of production of Li-ion batteries. While parts such as this can be manufactured as easily as auto parts like the Mercedes-Benz multi-rib belt, the development of a Li-ion battery for automotive application has more weight in terms of its impact on the auto industry.

Dr. Elena Shembel, the CEO of the Enerize Corporation, has this to say: "Development of safe, low cost, high efficiency Li-ion batteries is critical for new electronic devices and next generation hybrid electric vehicles. We believe that our partnership will address these requirements, and we are excited to work with FiFe Batteries in this endeavor. Rob Neat (CEO of FiFe Batteries) has an impressive track record of successful exploitation of IP and technology-based products, including successful management of Li-ion cell manufacturing businesses. We are also looking forward to working with auto manufacturers on the in-vehicle integration and testing of the new Li-ion batteries."

Dr. Neat added: "We believe that our partnership represents a strong combination of R&D and manufacturing capabilities. We are impressed with the IP portfolio and R&D capabilities of Enerize Corporation and are looking forward to complementing it with our R&D and manufacturing capabilities. Our joint goal is to produce multi-ton quantities of these new materials for electrodes, as well as development and testing of battery cells, modules, and packs."

According to news on theautochannel.com, four of the Ford Motor Company’s demonstration fleet of ethanol-fueled hybrids were already handed down to the State of Missouri and Kansas City Power & Light at Ford Kansas City Plant, the home of the famous Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid SUVs. The Ford E85 Escape Hybrid is the world's first hybrid vehicle that is proficient of operating on combined fuel having as much as 85 percent ethanol. This move by the Ford Motor Company was intended to broaden the use of alternative energy in the state.

"As a leader in both hybrid vehicles and in vehicles capable of operating on ethanol-based fuels, Ford is the ideal company to bring both technologies together for the first time. This innovative research represents one of many projects we have at Ford to address our customers desire for a fuel efficient product that meet all of their functional needs, while working on reducing our nation's dependence on oil imports and helping to address global climate change,” says Nancy Gioia, the director for Sustainable Mobility Technology for the car-making company.

One of Kansas City’s field design groups that work in the company's service area will make use of Kansas City Power & Light's E85 Escape Hybrids. They'll be used in urban surroundings, mainly to benefit from the hybrids capabilities in urban driving settings.

“Great Plains Energy’s environmental strategy is aggressively pursuing the use of renewables. We are pleased to be among the first to take advantage of the flexibility of a hybrid vehicle that uses E85 fuel. Our current biofuel program has already offset approximately 20 percent of our gasoline usage and these Ford vehicles will advance our long-term commitment to a diversified fleet,” says Michael Chesser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Great Plains Energy.

"My administration has and will continue to strongly encourage the use of these environmentally-friendly technologies. The use of renewable fuels improves our environment and the air we breathe. With old-fashioned American ingenuity, like that displayed by the Ford Motor Company, we can become more energy independent. Our state is doing our part to look for alternative fuels to help lessen America’s dependence on foreign oil. The more clean-burning, renewable fuel Missouri produces and uses, the better off we will all be in the long-term," says Gov. Matt Blunt on the matter.

Ford, joint ventured with MFA Oil in Missouri and Vera Sun Energy, in Illinois last year established the nation's first ethanol corridor. The Midwest Ethanol Corridor expands E85 availability in stations located primarily along I-55 in Illinois and I-70 in Missouri by altering gasoline pumps to E85.

It seems that diesel cars are now being proclaimed as the cleanest. If a person from the 70s is transported to today, he or she would really be surprised. After all, in the 70s, diesel engines were noisy and oh so dirty. But today, the cleanest car is a diesel, and that is the Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion (as according to the United Kingdom’s Department for Transportation). Partnering with What Car?, the agency launched a website that tells us which cars produces the least amount of carbon dioxide.

And when I tried to find out which is the cleanest luxury car, the site told me that the BMW 7 Series is the cleanest of the lot. According to the tests conducted by the DfT and What Car?, the 730d Saloon with particle filter from September 2007 produces 210 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometer traveled. Although the best in its class, that is still a lot of greenhouse gases as compared to the Polo Blue Motion which coughs out 99 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometer.

What caught my attention is that four out of the five cleanest luxury cars are equipped with diesel engines. The second cleanest luxury car according to the DfT is the Jaguar XJ 2.7-liter diesel saloon or sedan. This produces 214 grams of CO2 for very kilometer. The only gasoline-engined luxury car in the top five is the Lexus LS600h. Well, this is not actually what you would consider as a gasoline auto since it’s a hybrid (notice the h after the 600?). This hybrid still produces more CO2 as compared to the Jaguar and the BMW. The Lexus hybrid produces 219 grams of the greenhouse gas for very kilometer.

Number four is the Mercedes-Benz S320 CDI 235 tires at the rear (a classic example of the diversity of Mercedes-Benz models). This is also powered by a diesel engine. This powerplant developed by Formula One’s McLaren’s engine supplier produces 220 grams of CO2 for ever kilometer that the engine burns fuel. Number five, it is another example of Mercedes-Benz’s diversified lineup. Rounding up the top five is the Mercedes-Benz S320 L CDI 325 tires at rear (notice the L inserted somewhere in there?) That L corresponds to 3 more grams of carbon dioxide produced by the car for every kilometer.

And honorable mention in sixth is the Audi 3.0 V6 TDI 233ps Quattro Tiptronic SE. I included this here because it completes the string of diesel cars on top of the rankings. The Audi produces 224 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometer traveled.

Vehicles getting greener are in the trend these days. Automakers keep on producing hybrid versions of their top models. This is to cope up with the demands of the customers for efficient fuel economy in vehicles. Because of this, Mitsubishi is planning to have 2 million kiloliters of green ethanol output annual capacity by 2017.

Mitsubishi will set fourth new plants in Japan and other parts in Asia. One of those is Thailand, since they have cheap and ample supply of feedstock. That was according to Takashi Miyazaki, a General Manager at Mitsubishi’s new energy business unit, as mentioned right at reuters.com.

Policy incentives and new technology capable of cutting production costs will be boosting the global demand for biomass ethanol. It is expected to increase annually up to 280 million kl by 2030. It is based from the International Energy Agency’s data.

Miyazaki also said, “Manufacturing is the most profitable in this field of business as we think supplies will have to catch up with high-flying demand in the next few decades.” Furthermore, he mentioned, “It's difficult to sum it up. We understand it takes four to five years to build a facility and five to six years to make profits out of it. Also, situations differ from one country to another.”

Mitsubishi is also planning to annually produce one to 1.5 million tones of biodiesel by 2017. This will be settled after building plants in Asia or in Central and South America.

I think because of their focus in this project, they would be leaving the Mitsubishi Précis radiator and other stuff like that behind for the meantime. For now, their goal is facing towards providing the demands of the market. And, it is just like what other auto makers have been doing recently. Mitsubishi won’t allow itself to be left away from the track. And, I could see their eagerness to cope with the other competitors.

Ford vehicles have been in demand recently. It is since Ford was able to produce impressive models. Those of which are featured with high technology facilities and premium car parts, just like GM’s Saturn cold air intake or even better ones perhaps. They even provided the model with side airbags to optimize safety.

Nowadays, people look over hybrid vehicles as the better choice since they offer better performance. Among the benefits such a type of vehicle gives is their capability of providing efficient fuel economy and that is the best thing I desire.

The Ford Escape Hybrid was able to attain high popularity and eventually became much in demand.

I have learned from washingtonpost.com that Terry Greer, the sales manager at Lindsay Ford in Wheaton, said, “We would love to have them, but they aren't coming in. When we get them in, they go out.” Some enthusiasts even suggested sending an e-mail to Ford’s chief executive Alan R. Mulally. Some of the shoppers of Edmunds.com posted their impression, saying “Where are the… Hybrid Escapes?” The likes of these statements and the efforts of the customers triggered the interest of Ford to strive for expansion. They opt to produce greater number of Hybrid vehicles to provide the demand pronounced by the market.

Ford would be starting with delivering their Hybrid SUVs to California. It was based from Said Deep’s, Ford’s spokesman, statement: “We've noticed that California represents nearly 40 percent of hybrid sales. As a result, that state gets the largest share of hybrid production. We are looking at whether we can make adjustments to satisfy demand in all parts of the country.”

I say Ford should be pursuing this plan. I have concluded because I have known that the demand is about five times what the supply is, according to Dug Dugger, the General Manager of Ourisman Ford in Bethesda. “Fuel prices will drive the need for the vehicle. We've asked for supplements in the last two months. We've been able to get nothing,” he added.

I know Ford is capable to make it up. So, let’s just wait for the realization of their plans.

Honda started it with the Insight, Toyota popularized it with the Prius, Ford came up with a bigger version of this and General Motors is coming up with an even bigger hybrid vehicle. All these automakers including Nissan are developing and have developed already hybrid versions of their existing nameplate.

For Honda, there’s the Civic Hybrid, and the Accord Hybrid although the latter was dropped just this year. For Nissan, the Altima was given a hybrid version compliment of Toyota. Toyota has the Camry Hybrid, the Highlander Hybrid and a Lexus nameplate hybrid. Ford has the Escape; the Mariner also has a hybrid version. For General Motors, there’s the Saturn Vue Green Line, the Aura Green Linen and soon to come are the Yukon and Tahoe Hybrids. It will not come as a surprise if General Motors’ Chevrolet will come up with a two-mode pickup hybrid complete with a pickup handle relocation kit.

But what I bet you’re looking forward to is a Camaro Hybrid. No, General Motors is not making plans to create a hybrid version of the iconic car which has crossed to new-age popularity thanks to the film Transformers. But General Motors has the resources and the means to snap a two-mode hybrid system into one of those new-generation Camaro.

According to Joe Phillippi, the principal of AutoTrends Consulting, “The Camaro is Chevrolet and GM’s halo car. It projects an image that reflects on the whole corporation. To offer all the performance aspects of a classic Camaro and still be environmentally friendly... that’s a real plus from an image point of view. A hybrid Camaro, it could go a long way toward changing the perception of General Motors and Chevrolet.”

I for one would surely love a hybrid Camaro. Why? Because it would be the ultimate car for me. I’ve always loved the Camaro but with its large engine and an even larger appetite for petroleum fuel, it would really never be easy owning and maintaining one. But with a hybrid Camaro, the carbon footprint that one will leave will be significantly cleaner than previous Camaros. But will it ever become a reality? I think there is a chance that General Motors will come up with a hybrid Camaro, after all, even Cadillac is considering an all-hybrid lineup. I also think that it would be better if the Camaro will come a plug-in hybrid just like the upcoming Volt.

We have a misconception regarding hybrid car drivers and we usually say it’s for the classy and the elite and for some people who are too nice to the environment. Some of us are aware that there’s been enough publicity related to celebrities who owns and drive hybrid cars. Take for example Tom Hanks, Sting, Cameron Diaz, Meryl Streep, Leonardo DeCaprio and Tim Robbins. According to an article from hybridcars.com, with thousands of hybrids on the street, the crowd of hybrid car drivers positively consists of regular individuals too. But who are they, let’s all find out as HybridCars.com shows us the real answer:

There is tough and solid evidence that hybrid drivers have had higher levels of education attained.

“Hybrid car drivers have a level of education higher than any group of car drivers that I’ve ever seen. McManus’s research also showed that hybrid drivers expect fuel prices to grow a lot faster than other people do. It doesn’t mean that they’re right. It doesn’t mean that the other people are right,” said McManus. “But they’re much more pessimistic about the future of fuel prices than the average person,” said Walter McManus of the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute.

Now you know the other kinds of people driving hybrid cars! Now I’m thinking if I should get one hybrid and replace my Mazda car with its cool Mazda fuel pump! How about that?!