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The electric drive of the pods is an alternative to a mechanical drive train. Almost all electricity is produced by IC generators. The whole setup is just more efficient.
ABB Azipod electric propulsion system has saved >700,000 tons of fuel for marine vessels so far
>ABB announced the total fuel savings of the entire installed Azipod fleet since being launched is estimated to be more than 700,000 tons. Assuming the average family car uses one ton of fuel annually, this savings corresponds to the annual fuel consumption of 700,000 cars. The Azipod electrical...
Why wouldn't it be economically viable? Heavy duty diesel electric systems have been around for decades in train locomotives and ships. I do not understand why tractors are not exploiting the clean, instant torque of electric motors in shipyards.
Cummins-led team awarded $4.5M to develop Class 6 PHEV that reduces fuel use by 50%
Cummins Inc. has been awarded a $4.5-million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop a Class 6 commercial plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that can reduce fuel consumption by at least 50% over conventional Class 6 vehicles. (Earlier post.) When fully loaded, Class 6 vehicles weigh betw...
By rigorously conforming to posted speed limits and avoiding unnecessary acceleration and braking, autonomous vehicles should approach hypermiling efficiency.
CMU study shows autonomous vehicle algorithms can have considerable effect on fuel economy; need for new approaches in testing
Autonomous vehicle driving behavior can have a considerable effect on fuel economy. Researchers in the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University have determined that fuel efficiency for self-driving cars—within the bounds of current fuel economy testing—could improve by up to 10% unde...
what happened to "states rights' so dear to the right? Aren't you gentlemen usually whining about the federal government telling god fearing, gun owning, coal and oil burning citizens what to do?
California ARB considering modifications to ZEV regs to provide more flexibility for intermediate volume manufacturers
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will conduct a public hearing on 23 October to consider amendments to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulation that would modify the requirements for intermediate volume manufacturers (IVMs) selling into the state to allow them more time to come into th...
why can't refineries be located at/near the source of this oil sand? Then conventional transportation technology could distribute this atmosphere poison.
BC government won’t support Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline as presented over spill response concerns
In its final written submission to the Northern Gateway Pipeline Joint Review Panel (JRP), the government of British Columbia states that it cannot support the project as presented to the panel primarily because Northern Gateway (NG) has been unable to adequately detail its response to a spill....
"If we had abundant renewable electricity" We DO have abundant renewable electricity technology. We just do not have the storage and distribution of it worked out. Ocean based conversion systems work when the supply permits wind blows, sun shines, waves undulate and/or current travels.
New LLNL technique for CO2 capture also produces green hydrogen and alkalinity to offset ocean acidification
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have discovered and demonstrated a new technique to remove and store atmospheric carbon dioxide while generating carbon-negative hydrogen and producing alkalinity, which can be used to offset ocean acidification. A paper on their work...
read the article before you start typing. There is no mention of swapping.
Holden teams up with Better Place in Australia to offer renewable energy and faster charging for Volt
GM Holden in Australia has selected Better Place as its preferred partner for renewable energy and faster charging solutions for the extended range Holden Volt electric car. Better Place will develop a number of membership packages for Volt customers including the installation of a ‘Charge Sp...
One size does not fit all. If a driver does not need 70+ mile range for the great majority of his/her driving (which is most drivers), a BEV is a simpler, cheaper, more reliable alternative. A Volt is not a good vehicle to haul 5+ passengers or a ton of sand.
Volt continues to be top-selling plug-in in US; Prius PHV #2, LEAF #3
The Chevrolet Volt was the top-selling plug-in vehicle (PEs) in the US in June 2012, posting 1,760 units, up 213.7% by volume from the 561 units in June 2011. For the first six months of the year, Volt sales reached 8,817 units, up 221.2% from 2,745 units in the first half of 2011. The Toyota ...
cross reference prior article:
WHO IARC classifies diesel exhaust as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)13 June 2012
Pike Research forecasts clean diesels to represent more than 12% of global light-duty vehicle sales by 2018; outpacing hybrids in North America
Annual clean diesel ldv sales by region, world markets: 2012-2018. Source: Pike Research. Click to enlarge. A new report from Pike Research finds that rising fuel prices and stronger fuel economy regulations will stimulate increasing demand for clean diesel vehicles in markets around the wo...
"Clean diesel"...George Orwell would be proud!
How about "slightly less filthy and carcinogenic than the crap we've been burning for a century."
Pike Research forecasts clean diesels to represent more than 12% of global light-duty vehicle sales by 2018; outpacing hybrids in North America
Annual clean diesel ldv sales by region, world markets: 2012-2018. Source: Pike Research. Click to enlarge. A new report from Pike Research finds that rising fuel prices and stronger fuel economy regulations will stimulate increasing demand for clean diesel vehicles in markets around the wo...
Attaboy Harvey! This is the rational analysis we have come to expect.
RAND reports suggest US DoD use less petroleum fuel to deal with high prices, not count on alternatives
According to three new reports on “Promoting International Energy Security” issued by the RAND Corporation, because the energy purchases made by the US Department of Defense are not large enough to influence world oil prices—despite DoD requiring considerable amounts of fuel to function—cutting ...
HarveyD: Your comments are usually informing such as half of your above comment, ie. "quicker/cheaper ways must be found to put an end...". Unfortunately you then lapse into invective prattle reminiscent of Rush Limbaugh: "...to all those frivolous patent claims actively supported by a bunch of hungry lawyers." Attorneys litigating patents get paid for their time and advice by patent holders ... for both sides. The rules desperately need changing, not the players
Bio-isobutanol patent struggle: US District Court denies Butamax’s motion for preliminary injunction against Gevo
The US District Court of Delaware has denied the Motion for Preliminary Injunction sought by Butamax Advanced Biofuels, LLC (Butamax)—the biobutanol joint venture between BP and DuPont—against biobutanol company Gevo. (Case 1:11-cv-00054-SLR) This decision replaces a previous order enjoining Ge...
I got a LEAF for 14 months and love it.
Fisker reports more than $100M in revenue Jan-Apr 2012; more than $1B in funding since 2007
The EVer (Electric Vehicle extended range) powertrain of the Fisker Karma. Click to enlarge. Fisker Automotive published its first business update, announcing that revenues had exceeded $100 million in the first four months of 2012. The company, which began deliveries of the Fisker Karma lu...
HG, Please cite your authorities for your 5/29 bloviation. (rectal extraction does not qualify)
US Senate Armed Services Committee produces markup limiting DoD purchase of biofuels and prohibiting construction of biorefineries
The US Senate Committee on Armed Services completed its markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. The bill emerging from the Senate committee authorizes $631.4 billion for national defense programs. The bill authorizes $498.0 million more than the Presid...
Does anyone else wonder what the oil industry is doing to help cellulosic biofuel producers? or do I dare inquire, what might be going on to hinder them?
API files lawsuit against EPA for RFS cellulosic biofuel requirements
The American Petroleum Institute (API) filed a lawsuit with the DC Circuit Court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for what API called “unachievable” requirements for use of cellulosic biofuels in the 2012 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Clean Air Act requires EPA to de...
Out of what hole did you pull the "one million bev in 10 years" come from? I, sadly, do not seem to be one of those who "knows the projections" I am, however, one who owns a BEV and uses it every day along with 4 other cars/trucks running on various carbon based fuels with 3 other family members. We fight over who gets to use the LEAF. Total cost per mile including depreciation, maintenance and fuel makes the LEAF a winner. As soon as the word gets around, ICE cars will be like steamers.
New “convection battery” could significantly increase performance of existing as well as new, improved battery chemistries
Schematic of the convection cell. Credit: Prof. Galen Suppes. Click to enlarge. Researchers at the University of Missouri’s Department of Chemical Engineering (MU) have developed and demonstrated a new type of battery, referred to as the “convection battery” or “convection cell”. The convec...
What is the Volt?
Power-dense powertrains for Malibu rollout
The all-new Ecotec 2.5L debuting on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan this summer is one of the most-powerful naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines in the midsize segment. It will be joined this fall by a new Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine, delivering more horsepower than any previous V-6 o...
Eighty-five percent say the president and Congress should “take immediate actions to try to control the rising price of gas.”
-Good Grief! How ignorant is the population?
The price of gas is set by the world wide market. The US is currently a net exporter of gasoline. If the government was to interfere with the free market and forbid gasoline export, prices would tumble and the right wing would scream socialism!
Gallup poll finds Americans say gas prices of $5.30 would force major life changes
A recent Gallup poll has found that Americans on average say gas prices of $5.30 to $5.35 per gallon are the tipping point that would make them cut back on spending in other areas or make significant changes in the way they live their lives. Two questions about the implications of the rising p...
If only the cost of this extravagance was not subsidized by the public at large through polution, taxes, wars, etc.
Nissan shows Hi-Cross Concept 7-passenger 4WD hybrid in Geneva; another implementation of “one-motor, two-clutch” system
The Hi-Cross Concept hybrid. Click to enlarge. Nissan unveiled the Hi-Cross Concept hybrid at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, heralding a possible new design direction for the company as well as a possible expansion of the current Juke-Qashqai-Murano portfolio. Despite its modest external pro...
ejj, take it down a notch. blank accusations without attribution or any constructive content does not belong here.
President’s Jobs Council recommends an “All-in” energy strategy; from fossil fuels and pipelines, to efficiency, renewables and vehicle electrification
In its 2011 year-end report, Road Map to Renewal, the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (Jobs Council) made a number of recommendations to create jobs in the short run and improve US competitiveness over the long term. Very broadly, the report lays out an agenda to “Invest in Our ...
Kelly, You are hurling your invective at the wrong target. Who/what do you think pays these allegedly dishonest lawyers? Are the lawyers who opposed these lawyers not paid? Since when is the practice of law less honest than any other profession? It is the law as written that is the corrupted.
As long as there is short term profits to be made, there will be these environmental catastrophes. The law is written by politicians who are beholding to their donors for millions of dollars necessary under our current laws to be re-elected.
California ARB witholding enforcement of LCFS post Federal Court injunction; appealing and seeking stay of injunction; Judge O’Neill’s 3 rulings
On Thursday (29 December 2011), Judge Lawrence O’Neill of the US District Court for the Eastern District of California issued three separate rulings in a set of federal lawsuits challenging the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) (Rocky Mountain Farmers Union et al v. Goldstene). (Earlier post.) On...
If utilities (who have the long term capital) own the batteries like they own the generators and rent the use of both like they already do the latter, suddenly Leafs cost similar to Versas, are more reliable and do not require Middle East wars to guaranty affordable energy.
PJM/Better Place study finds unmanaged charging of 1M electric cars could add $750M in annual wholesale energy costs; need for CNO-managed smart charging
Simply plugging in one million electric cars (unmanaged or ad hoc charging) could add $750 million in annual wholesale energy costs unless smart charging is adopted, according to a joint study conducted by PJM Interconnection and Better Place, released by Better Place. PJM Interconnection is a r...
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