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Toyota utilizing hybrids to help with power crunch

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Eco-friendly Cars, Toyota

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 and home power generating

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Ford’s Flex and Fusion Hybrid are All Stars!

Posted by: robert  /  Category: Car News, Eco-friendly Cars, Ford

If you remember, we last reported that the Ford Flex was so good it could still be considered as a great car in the year 2030, well, it seems to have won another award for the present day: it and the Ford Fusion Hybrid are named 2010 All-Stars by Automobile Magazine.

Reasons for why the Flex won:

Jason Mase, Ford crossover marketing manager, says it is the design and features available with the Ford Flex that make the vehicle stand out.
“We’re delighted that AUTOMOBILE Magazine has named Flex an All-Star two years running,” he said. “The AUTOMOBILE editors recognize Flex stands apart from the rest of the crossover crowd with unmatched style, tremendous passenger comfort and space, and leading technology features like the available EcoBoost engine, Active Park Assist, Ford SYNC® and a refrigerated second-row console.”

It seems that the Flex is good on its own even if it wasn’t considered as a Green vehicle, granted, its EcoBoost engine is enough.

As for the Ford Fusion Hybrid:

Jennings says what makes the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid special is that it doesn’t drive like a hybrid.
“Its very ordinariness is what makes the Fusion Hybrid an AUTOMOBILE Magazine All-Star,” said Jennings. “The Fusion Hybrid is not a performance machine, but neither does it feel hobbled or inadequate for daily driving. Perhaps the best thing about it is that, apart from the LCD color screens, you might never know you’re driving a hybrid.”

Eventhough it’s not as strong as the other cars, being green was enough to win the award. Hopefully, more high performing green cars will be rolling out the production line soon.

Press Release

Search for Your Green Car Online

Posted by: robert  /  Category: Eco-friendly Cars, Hybrids

So you think gasoline guzzling cars are not really your thing and want to try out “green” cars? Don’t know where to get one or don’t have enough money to buy a brand new one? Well, if you want to buy or try out second hand green cars, then head over to Carlocate.com. There, you’ll be able to search for the green car you want for the budget you have. You have the option to search for brand new or used vehicles:

  • Hybrid
  • fuel efficient
  • Diesel
  • flexible fuel cars

“More and more, consumers are interested in buying vehicles with better fuel economy and lower emissions,” said Nicole Case, general manager for CarLocate.com. “But being eco-friendly is more than looking at hybrids. Wading through all the information to find those cars isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve created the Green Search option for both new and used cars. Now, we’ve made it quick and easy for car shoppers to find vehicles on our site that are more environmentally friendly. This is just one more way we’re building our search function to cut the clutter and take consumers to search results that more exactly fit the cars they want to buy.”

Both new and used cars are guaranteed to have passed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards of 23.1 miles per gallon, and an EPA air pollution score of six or above. It’s a great idea to spread and increase more green cars on the roads and hopefully other businesses, both online and offline, to follow suit what Carlocate.com has done.

Press Release

Ethanol Powered Limos on Climate Change Conference

Posted by: robert  /  Category: Eco-friendly Cars, Motoring

If I told you that big time politicians will be riding on straw powered limos, would you believe me? Well the ones who will be attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will be riding in one.

The climate-friendly fill-up came about as a collaboration between Danisco’s enzyme division Genencor, Inbicon Biomass Refinery Technology, Novozymes, and Statoil, assisted by the Partnership for Biofuels. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is supplying the limousines: 30 Volvo S80s and 10 Volvo V70s will be chauffeuring politicians from all over the world during COP15. Among those present at this first official filling-up with E85 in Denmark were senior representatives of the companies involved as well as Jan-Christoph Napierski from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ COP15 Logistics unit. “An event such as the UN Climate Change Conference attracts a large number of exciting new technologies, which could help to solve the climate challenge.”

Besides the politicians attending the conference, come 2010 Statoil’s Danish customers will be able to fill up their tanks with advanced biofuel as well. Lucky them as they’ll be able to experience its benefits first. If it becomes successful hopefully the other countries will copy them.

It’s a great way for politicians to see how ethanol can be a good alternative to gasoline and be able to apply it to their own countries. Hopefully with this move, and the main politicians who are in charge of their countries energy resources experiencing the ethanol powered ride, will change their minds about using gasoline to fill up their vehicle’s tanks.

Source

CT&T Announces Plans for U.S. Electric Vehicle Production

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Car News, Hybrids

ctt_ezone1

July 1st 2009, CT&T Company which is a global leader in electric and battery vehicle technology announced that starting from the fourth quarter of 2009, the company expects to begin selling c-Zone utility EVs for commercial and government applications as well the e-Zone City Drive EVs. Vehicles will range in price from $8,000 US dollars to $16,000 fully equipped. That is as announced by CT&T United, the U.S. subsidiary of CT&T Korea, Ltd.

Furthermore, CT&T said that they are not only going to launch c-Zone utility EVs, but also Mid-speed Electric Vehicles, High-speed Electric Vehicles, Utility Electric Vehicles, as well as batteries in the Lead Acid, Advanced Lead Acid, Lithium Polymer and Lithium Ion categories for domestic and export markets. “We are accelerating our plans to become a major investor in zero emissions vehicle technologies in the U.S.,” said Lee. “CT&T has become a category leader because of our advanced technology, plus we offer a solution to the primary barrier to consumer adoption of electric vehicles by offering EVs at affordable prices.”

CT&T is an acknowledged global leader in Electric Vehicles and EV technologies with manufacturing facilities currently in South Korea and China with several U.S. facilities targeted to begin production by the end of 2009. One of the few fully integrated vehicle, motor and battery producers in the world, the Company produces and markets City Drive, Mid-speed, High-speed, and Utility electric vehicles under the CT&T brand. Young Gi Lee, a former executive of Hyundai Motor Corporation, founded the CT&T in 2002 with a vision of bringing zero emissions transportation options to companies and individuals.

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Car of the Month: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Posted by: Auto Buff  /  Category: Car News, Ford, Hybrids

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid in Black

The first day of the month always starts with an award for the previous month, and Car Chute chose The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid as Our Car for the Month. It’s introduction was early and even before we really see the ‘Most Fuel Efficient Mid-Size Car in America’, it already set a scene by receiving an honor as NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month, too.

Wondering what is being offered by this stylish wonderful hybrid car? Continue reading…

Many hybrid cars have futuristic models to suit its technology. However, have you ever asked yourself: Are you ready to ride a car with that odd style? Well, the good news is Ford had been thinking about that, and The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is able to provide an exceptional fuel economy without sacrificing style.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is supported with a combination of 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Advanced regenerative braking recovers up to 94 percent of the energy lost during braking, feeding power back into the battery. The whole system allows the Fusion to run at up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode.

What makeCar Chute proud is that The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid has many ‘green’ features such as Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. This system displays dozens of statistics including instant fuel economy, battery charge status, vehicle power mode and accessory power consumption that make it both easy and entertaining for the driver to maximize fuel economy.

Are you ready to ride your 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid car as fast as 41mpg in the city? Purchase your own starting at $27,270 and welcome your eco-friendly life!

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