The Carminat TomTom Z.E. LIVE receives information from the battery on its current state of charge, which is used to determine the available range of the vehicle. This information is then visualised on the navigation screen, showing the journey against the available range and the routes to the charge stations. This will help to effectively plan charging and remove drivers’ “range anxiety”, giving them confidence that their journey can be completed. The system also includes an eco-routing – providing the driver with an option to select the most energy efficient route.

Finding the right charging station information and location (amongst the 5000+ that will be available in Europe at the end of 2011) is critical to drivers. The TomTom Home application will provide users with the latest charging station list each time they connect their SD card to their computer. The Carminat TomTom Z.E. LIVE will inform the users in real-time about the availability of charge stations en route, allowing them to stop and ‘fill-up’ when needed.

“This is the first navigation system TomTom is launching in the area of electric vehicles and it represents a great milestone for us as a company in this exciting new market. The Carminat TomTom Z.E. LIVE for Fluence Z.E., is also the third major development in the already successful Carminat TomTom series and underlines our fruitful relationship with Renault,” says Giles Shrimpton, Managing Director TomTom Automotive.

“We are very happy with the strong partnership we have developed with TomTom over the years and that we are able to give birth today to the next evolution of our product – the new Carminat TomTom Z.E. LIVE. This solution is a key feature of our new Fluence Z.E. The electric vehicle programme is of great importance to us at Renault and the Carminat TomTom Z.E. LIVE plays a significant role in its success”, says Stephen Norman, Global Marketing & Communications Director, Renault.

In addition, the Carminat TomTom Z.E. LIVE comes with LIVE Services including HD Traffic, providing drivers with its unique dynamic routing; giving them the fastest route to their destination based on the latest traffic situation.

Key Features

• Electric vehicle routing functionality, including routing to and via charge stations, and integration with battery management solution
• Eco-routing function
• Visualisation of available range on the map and navigation display
• Automatic updates of charge stations via TomTom Home with search functions for locating of nearest charge station, as well as those around destination or other location
• HD Traffic – unique combination of real-time traffic, based on a network of over 80 million probes in Europe and dynamic routing
• Local Search
• Weather
• Safety camera alerts, to help the customer to drive more safely and responsibly.
• IQ Routes technology so the user always gets the best route to his destination. This technology calculates your routes based on the real average speeds measured on roads. Always providing you with the fastest route, and most accurate travel time, hour-by-hour, day-by-day, saving you time, money and fuel.
• Advanced Lane Guidance shows which lane to take at junctions so you don’t miss your turn. On the most difficult highway intersections, realistic 3D representation of the junction keeps customers relaxed and safe.
• TomTom Map Share allows the user to make corrections to his/her own map and able to benefit from thousands of corrections made by TomTom users every day.

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Hertz Global EV Expands to China

PR Newswire — August 24, 2011

SHANGHAI, August 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –

- Hertz partners with GE Energy China and the China EV Pilot City to build out EV infrastructure; Hertz is the first car rental company to offer EVs on three continents

The Hertz [http://www.hertz.com ] Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) today announced the expansion of its Global EV initiative to China, making it the first global rental car [http://www.hertz.com ] company to offer electric vehicles (EVs) on three continents. Hertz now offers EVs across the US in cities including New York, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and in London, United Kingdom and other cities in Europe. To help build a market for what is the first EV rental service in China, Hertz launches several new programs:

- Hertz commenced an alliance with GE Industrial Solutions China to develop a new business model to market EVs in China, which includes the co-location of electric vehicles and GE EV Infrastructure. – Hertz signed an agreement to participate in the China (Shanghai) International EV Pilot City to propel an EV rental program, building out the infrastructure across the Jiading district of Shanghai as the starting point to make EVs accessible to corporations, local government and the general public, as well as promote the benefits of EVs. – Hertz launches a partnership with BYD, the largest Chinese local auto brand, to combine electrical vehicle sales and leasing as a mobility solution for MNC and government agencies in metropolitan Chinese cities and to promote new energy applications to propel and further develop the EV marketplace in China.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110824/ny57244-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110824/ny57244-b )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110824/ny57244-c )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110810/ny50373logo )

“China has committed to rapidly expand electric vehicle travel and Hertz is committed to supporting the important EV Pilot City program,” said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Working with our existing rental car network in China and partners such as GE, we are dedicated to helping build the necessary EV infrastructure in China and to create a new transportation solution that employs the latest technology and harnesses innovations being launched in China today.”

The agreements are part of a multi-layered approach to launch an EV rental program in Shanghai. Key features of the agreements include commitments from:

- Hertz and GE Industrial Solutions to co-locate electric vehicles and GE EV Infrastructure across China. The two companies will bundle EV leasing and charging facilities as a solution, which will be offered to multinational companies and government agencies to promote new energy application. Both Hertz and GE Industrial Solutions will leverage each other’s services, products and client bases to go to market together as business partners. – GE Industrial Solutions will provide end-to-end integrated EV infrastructure solutions and electrical distribution products to support this ecosystem development. – Hertz, GE and China (Shanghai) International EV Pilot City will collaborate to accelerate the pace of EV adoption in China. – Hertz and BYD to partner to create an EV mobility solution for MNC and government agencies in key Chinese cities. As part of this agreement, Hertz will introduce the BYD e6 into its Chinese fleet.

“GE, as a world-wide leading company is glad to respond to the Chinese government’s call for support of the EV industry. It’s our great pleasure to be invited to this partnership with Hertz and China international EV Zone,” stated Johnny Wang, General Manager, Greater China, GE Energy Industrial Solutions, “Signing this MoU among us will bring to our integrated EV solutions based on our strengths and advantages in separate areas. Electric vehicles will be increasingly prioritized in national energy strategies around the world.”

Earlier this year, Shanghai was selected as the electric vehicle international pilot city by the Chinese government and Jiading district of Shanghai as the electric vehicle international demonstration zone, with a goal of increasing public awareness and integration within the industry. Current partners include auto manufactures, energy suppliers, insurance companies and the other EV supply chain participants. Hertz is the first rental car company to sign a MoU to become a partner of the China (Shanghai) International Electric Vehicle Pilot City. The agreement supports the Twelfth Five-Year Plan objective for the promotion of EVs in China and will serve as a foundation for further innovation and development of the infrastructure.

In its first year, the Hertz Global EV initiative has grown from a vision to a market presence in more than ten cities, offering a diverse fleet of electric vehicles from manufactures like BYD Auto as well as Nissan, GM, Mitsubishi, Renault and Tesla. As the world’s largest general use airport car rental brand, Hertz is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers – urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations – to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As part of its strategy, Hertz is forming partnerships with automakers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGOs, corporations and other stakeholders.

“At the Clinton Global Initiative last September, we announced a commitment to provide electric vehicle access on a global scale, an ambitious goal,” commented Frissora. “In less than one year, Hertz is now the leading provider of EV mobility solutions, offering an unparalleled selection of EVs and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in cities worldwide. We are firmly committed to adding new retail and Business to Business EV car rental locations internationally as auto manufacturers ramp up EV and PHEV production over the next few years.”

Hertz plans to increase its global EV presence by deploying vehicles in other countries in the coming months. Hertz Global EV will continue to leverage the company’s rental and car sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations, and tap into its technology – including sophisticated fleet management tools and consumer-facing GPS systems, including Hertz NeverLost in the U.S. – to help form an EV grid.

For more information, visit http://www.hertz.com.

About Hertz

Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand operating from more than 8,500 locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 83 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Company also has licensee locations in cities and airports in Africa and the Middle East. Product and services such as Hertz #1 Club Gold(R), NeverLost(R) in-car GPS system, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company’s Prestige, Adrenaline and Green Traveler Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. The Company also operates the Advantage car rental brand at 26 airports in the U.S. And, Hertz operates one of the world’s largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, offering a diverse line of equipment for rent, including tools and supplies, and new and used equipment for sale, from approximately 325 branches in the United States, Canada, China, France, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

Hertz entered China since 2002 with outbound rental services. In 2009, Hertz established a WOFE and started to provide a wide range of domestic rental services in addition to its outbound rental business, serving both individual customers as well as corporate customers. Leveraging its internationally strong brand power as well as its DNA of continuous innovation, Hertz strives to grow its business fast in China via continuously differentiated and innovative leasing and rental services to satisfy customers’ needs.

Subject Codes: PC/t.110824155221268, PR/dest.Public, PT/lang.en, PC/ticker, PC/ticker.bloomberg, PC/ticker.rics, RE/China, IN/AUT, IN/TRN, SU/CXP

Company Codes: NYSE:HTZ, Bloomberg:HTZ@US, RICS:HTZ.N

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota’s electric-gasoline hybrid car technology will be utilized to help ease power shortages in Japan’s disaster-struck northeast, part of a set of measures the automaker hopes will underline its commitment to the region.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will donate emergency power supply systems linked to its Prius hybrid cars to prefectures (states) in the Tohoku region ravaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The systems will be fitted to about 40 of the automaker’s Prius hybrids. Hybrid vehicles can be used to store and generate electricity because it is partly an electric vehicle that runs on a high-quality battery.

Toyota’s hybrid technology has already been helping in quake-affected areas, which suffered massive blackouts, as an emergency source of electricity.

The automaker said the positive reviews for its Estima hybrid minivan, which comes with regular electrical outlets to plug in and run household appliances for up to two days, are prompting it to make it available as an option for the Prius within a year.

Toyota also announced Tuesday that it will set up a manufacturing training school in the northeast, hoping to send home the message it remains committed to making cars in Tohoku and Japan overall despite mounting obstacles.

Fears are growing that Toyota and other major manufacturers may move production abroad after the tsunami and earthquake left key suppliers in a shambles, disrupting production.

Another setback are the meltdowns at a nuclear power plant, which is crimping the electricity supply and forcing manufacturers to cut back on electricity use.

Recruiting for the new technical school for high school graduates and employees of Toyota affiliates in the northeast will start in July next year. The first class for 10 to 30 students will begin in April 2013, the world’s largest automaker said in a statement.

Toyota also said it will donate 300 million yen ($3.8 million) for educational help for children, many who lost their parents in the disaster, and another 3 million yen ($38,000) to support the arts in Tohoku.

Last week, Toyota announced it was consolidating its operations among Tohoku group companies, and strengthening research and development in the region to make it Toyota’s third production center in Japan — after its headquarters in central Japan and Kyushu, southwestern Japan.

One vehicle set to be produced in northeastern Japan is a small hybrid that’s a key part of Toyota’s lineup of green vehicles, according to the automaker.

Other Japanese automakers are also eyeing renewable energy as a business opportunity, taking advantage of the power-generating feature of green cars.

Nissan Motor Co. is testing a super-green way to recharge its Leaf electric vehicle using solar power. Honda Motor Co. already has solar panel

Article source: Article Source

General Motors today said that thanks to strong public interest in the Chevrolet Volt, the 340-mile extended range electric vehicle, it will increase U.S. production capacity of the groundbreaking new car by 50 percent, from 30,000 units to 45,000 units, in 2012.

The announcement came as U.S. President Barack Obama toured the Detroit-Hamtramck facility, where the Volt is being produced now for sale later this year.

The Volt offers a total driving range of about 340 miles and is powered by electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the vehicle drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered, engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank.

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As I mentioned before, the evolution of cars from gas guzzlers to electric suckers is inevitable if you want to help the environment shape up. With car manufacturers recognizing the effects of using gas powered vehicles to the environment, most of them are looking for ways to create green cars that won’t alienate their current gas powered car customers and lovers. One of these manufacturers is Nissan as they just showed off their green car: The Leaf.

“This is not a golf car, it’s a real car,” Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told the crowd. The Leaf, with motors equal to a 100-horsepower gas engine, can be recharged to 80% capacity in a half hour, of fully overnight. The five-passenger sedan can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds.

As with most problems with green cars, it is extremely expensive! According to the article, there’s a very big chance that the price will range from $25,000 to $30,000. Now whether this will go down as more people buy green cars is really up for debate, but in the long run, the price of maintaining this is a heck of a lot cheaper.

The next problem now are the charging stations–and it looks like Nissan is actively participating in setting up the stations. It should push the other car manufacturers to do their share in making the world better for everyone. I’m hoping that this starts the ball rolling for more electric cars in the future.

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