Author: Brendon Turner
Source: articleage.com
Modern vehicles make a lot, hydrogen car, of demands upon their batteries. We expect our batteries to be reliable, have a large reserve capacity and a long life span, and be maintenance-free. In short, once a battery has been installed, we no longer want to think about it. Here's some tips on how to choose a battery that will serve you well.
For automotive applications,, hydrogen car, there are basically three types of batteries: conventional, maintenance-free, and recombination.
Conventional Batteries
A 12-volt automotive battery contains six cells. In each cell is a series of alternating positive and negative plates, between which are isolator or separator plates to keep them apart. All, hydrogen car, the negative plates in the battery are connected, as are all the positive plates. Each plate has a grid construction, and to this grid, the plate's active material - sponge lead - is bonded. The plates in each. cell are covered with a solution of distilled water and sulfuric acid (electrolyte). As the battery discharges (supplies electricity), the acid in the electrolyte reacts with the active material in the battery plates, forming lead sulfate and weakening the electrolyte solution. Conversely, as the, hydrogen car, battery, hydrogen car, is charged, the acid is returned to the solution, thereby strengthening it, and the used portion of the lead sulfate is converted back into active material in the plates. During this process, hydrogen and oxygen molecules are off-gassed out of the electrolyte, which is why a conventional battery often needs topping up with distilled water. The charge and discharge cycle also means that some lead sloughs off the plates. Over time, this builds up in the bottom of the case, reducing the overall capacity of the battery fluid. When enough material builds up, the plates will short out, and you're stuck with a dead battery.
Maintenance-Free Batteries
Closed (maintenance-free), hydrogen car, batteries are essentially the same as conventional batteries, except that they contain, hydrogen car, extra electrolytes in the partially sealed case. However, over time, this excess fluid is used up as fluid slowly off-gases hydrogen and oxygen molecules through the vents. Because these batteries cannot usually be topped off, once the plates begin, hydrogen car, to be exposed, the battery's life span is over. Usually,, hydrogen car, this takes a long period of time, which is, hydrogen car, why these batteries often last longer than conventional batteries. However, in situations where frequent, rapid charge/discharge occurs (such as when running a winch or powerful spotlight without running the engine), a maintenance-free battery may not, hydrogen car, outlast a conventional one.
Another type of maintenance-free battery is the gel-type battery While these batteries cannot leak or spill fluid and can be installed at odd angles, they do have a weakness. Using electrolyte gel necessitates the use of thinner plates so that adequate dispersion of the acid through the active material occurs. Since gel batteries are also sealed, they, hydrogen car, cannot be topped off and care must be taken when charging so they don't overcharge and gas-off, which will result in excessive sloughing of the plates, premature reduction in electrolytes, and eventual battery failure. This means that during the harsh vibrations, hydrogen car, associated with trail riding, a marginal gel battery can fail completely as the plates literally fall apart.
Recombination Batteries
The recombination battery is overall the best battery for off-road and heavy-duty use. They're called recombination because they recombine the gas formed during charging, channeling it into the separators so it doesn't vent out of the battery and reclaiming the water to keep electrolyte concentration at optimum. They are completely sealed (except for a reseating pressure-relief vent) and require no topping off of fluids. Recombination batteries can use either liquid or gel-type electrolytes and are different from other batteries because the acid is bound into the separators and pure lead can be used in the plates. Because of the purity of the materials, hydrogen car, used, there is no sloughing and the plates in these batteries can be very tightly, hydrogen car, packed. The result is a powerful, compact battery with, hydrogen car, quicker charging time, lower internal resistance than conventional or maintenance-free batteries, and a longer life span. In fact, for a conventional battery to deliver the same amount of starting power as a recombination battery, it would have to be two or three times larger. Because they contain no liquid as such, recombination batteries can be mounted in any position,, hydrogen car, will work when the case is damaged, and won't leak in a rollover. In short, for off-road use, they are just about the perfect battery.
How Batteries Are Rated
Battery ratings are a determination of how much power a battery can produce under marginal conditions. There are a number of ways to determine a battery's output, but ratings by ampere hour (Ah), cold-cranking amperes (CCA), and reserve capacity are the most common.
Ampere hours are determined by the SAE 20 test. This test is designed to show the amount of current that can be drawn from a battery for 20 hours without the voltage dropping below 1.75 volts per cell. In real-world terms, this means that a healthy battery should be capable of keeping the parking lights, hydrogen car, lit for 20 hours. For starting your truck, Ah doesn't mean much. However, for powering, hydrogen car, accessories without the engine running, this can be an important measurement.
Cold-cranking amperes or CCA is the unit of measurement that generally determines a battery's ability to start your engine. CCA is a measurement, hydrogen car, of the worst conditions under which a battery can be expected to deliver current, and it tests how much current in amperes a battery can deliver under extreme cold. According to the American SAE standard, CCA is determined by measuring how much current can be delivered in amperes for 30 seconds at -18 degrees C with a final voltage of 7.2 volts per cell or higher.
Reserve capacity, hydrogen car, is an important measurement for the total capacity of the battery and shows how long a battery can keep the engine running if the alternator/generator fails. Reserve capacity of a battery is measured in minutes at room temperature (approximately 70 degrees F). During this test, 25 amperes is drawn from the battery for as long as the voltage does, hydrogen car, not drop below 10.5, hydrogen car, volts. For off-road use, it's a good idea to make sure any battery you purchase has a reserve capacity of at least 120 minutes.
Reserve capacity is also important for those times when you need to run a radio, spotlight, winch, or other electrical accessory without running the engine.
A Batteries Two Enemies
Although just about all modem batteries are pretty reliable, there are two enemies that can grind even,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, a brand-new battery to a halt - extreme cold and extreme heat. Batteries are at their best with internal temperatures (not ambient) above 50 degrees F and below 105 degrees F. Below and above this range, problems can develop, and a dead, damaged, or . useless battery can be the result.
We've all noticed that under extremely cold, hydrogen car, conditions (below freezing), the battery will turn over the starter motor slowly, if at all. This is because when the internal temperature of the battery gets below the optimum range, the chemical reaction inside the battery happens more slowly, and for every 10-degree drop below freezing, the time that the chemical reaction takes doubles. Because of this increased resistance, the voltage in the battery drops and cannot turn over the engine.
Heat can also have an adverse effect on your battery's overall health. Battery power is reduced when it's subjected to excessive temperatures, but the problem may not be immediately noticed until the temperature drops. At higher temperatures, the chemical reaction within the battery is more rapid. The battery can produce more energy more quickly. This is good, right? Wrong. The higher rate of energy production results in an increase in off gassing; the water in the battery is vented out as hydrogen and oxygen molecules and the rate of internal corrosion, or sloughing, increases. This can result in a short in one or more cells that is not noticed until cold weather, hydrogen car, diminishes the overall ability of the battery.
What to Buy
When it comes to batteries for automotive use, there is no such thing as a perfect battery. Any battery can fail if it is neglected, constantly overloaded,, hydrogen car, or overcharged. The important thing to remember is to get the right battery for your needs, one that is rated for your vehicle, hydrogen car, and all the accessories you use. Generally, this means a high Ah, high CCA, and high reserve capacity. Also, make sure you buy a quality unit. Don't be fooled by the low price of the budget shops. Batteries sold in the no-name-battery discount stores often are poorly assembled and use inferior materials in the plates and separators. Name-brand batteries, such as AC-Delco, Sears DieHard, Exide, Interstate,, hydrogen car, Optima, and others, are manufactured to the highest standards, delivering high reliability combined with long life.
For off-road use, however, we feel that the recombination battery is the best overall, since it delivers high output, needs no maintenance, holds up well to the rigors of off-road driving, and has a quick recharge rate,, hydrogen car, as well as a long life, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, span. It is a particularly useful battery for the off-roader because it has no liquid to leak out and, hydrogen car, can be mounted in, hydrogen car, any position (even upside down). Because of this, it won't corrode battery trays or cables and is safe in a collision. You can actually shoot a 45-caliber bullet through the battery casing and it will still crank at full power. Try that with a conventional battery, and you have a leaking mess that will at best produce minimal voltage.
Although recombination batteries are sold under various brand names, Optima's 800U is the original and also the only battery available with both top posts and side terminals, a feature that makes, hydrogen car, it especially well suited for specialized installations and powering accessories and where there is installation room for only one battery Since, hydrogen car, we also run a winch and driving lights from the starting battery, it, hydrogen car, has to be a powerful one. The 800 CCA and 120 minutes of reserve capacity the Optima offers means we can rely on the unit, hydrogen car, as a power source for lights and winch use when the engine is down, without sacrificing starting ability. Additionally, the side terminals make it easy to power the winch and other accessories directly off the battery without disconnecting the main power cables and disabling the vehicle's computer. This makes for a clean installation without a lot of cable clutter at the main battery posts, which is especially important when there's limited space around the battery top.
Visit AutomotiveGazette.com - The Automotive Gazette weekly edition of car care articles, automotive news and information on automotive repair for those of us not adept at automotive troubleshooting.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Do You Get Auto Glass So Clear the Windows Look Like Their Gone?
Author: K.M. Dodd
Source: articleage.com
Auto glass that is clean and clear? I know what you might be thinking. I already get my windows clean, thats easy enough right? While they may appear clean, until your auto glass is CLEAR its not really clean. Will you buy that?
OK. Enough small talk lets git r done. While to many this is no surprise some may not realize that
Many glass cleaners contain ammonia.
Ammonia is a chemical, hydrogen car, compound consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms with the formula NH3. At standard temperature and pressure, ammonia is a gas. It is toxic and corrosive to some materials, and has a characteristic pungent odor.
That is the science of ammonia. However, hydrogen car, it is used in household cleaning products, one being glass cleaner. Due to some of the, hydrogen car, chemical parts of ammonia I recommend using a ammonia-free auto glass cleaner.
Why? Well ammonia is known for stripping the natural oils in vinyl and rubber, as well, hydrogen car, as leather. It has a strong gaseous odor to it that makes it harmful to breathe when it is used inside your car.
So what do you use?
Thats, hydrogen car, a good question. Use an auto glass cleaner that is ammonia-free of course, and one that is good at cutting through road grime and bug splatter. Meguiars NTX, Stoners Invisible, hydrogen car, Glass Cleaner, is really great at breaking up all the different contaminants that you are likely to encounter on your auto glass. It is also safe to use on tinted windows.
When you begin to clean your automobile glass, either clean all of the outside first, or begin on all of the inside glass. Why? So that any streaks you may leave in the process, can be seen more easily.(Be sure the window is washed before you begin) With that said, here are the materials you will need:
Meguiars, hydrogen car, NXT Auto Glass Cleaner, Stoners Invisible Glass Cleaner
0000 Steel Wool
either soft cotton towels(enough for the job)
OR Waffle-Weave Microfiber Towels
Take your glass cleaner and apply it to a 2'section of the front windshield. Take your steel wool and using a waving goodbye type of motion, and gently work the glass cleaner around.
Side Note: (Don't worry, in my years of experience I have yet to see this type of steel wool damage a window. Speaking of scratches,You are more likely to scratch your window at the start, hydrogen car, of rain or a storm, due to the surface dirt getting pushed around by your windshield wipers)
Afterwards use your towel to dry up the cleaner on the windshield. Is it smooth? If yes, proceed to the other half doing the exact same thing. Continue this around the whole of the car, cleaning the auto glass.
Now for those hard to reach places on the inside of the the auto glass, use an attachment, hydrogen car, that is flat and soft with the towel wrapped around it.
It can be any thing you can think of, that will reach back on to the surface you are trying to reach. Just be careful not to scratch up the window.
The windshield wipers, in order to keep, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, them operating as long as possible, you want to use a rubber dressing on them when you clean your auto glass to keep them soft and in good working condition.
K.M.Dodd is a car enthusiast,, hydrogen car, and an experienced auto detailer with over twelve years in the field of automotive detailing. Auto-detailings.com is a growing compilation of his knowledge and expertise. At Auto-detailings.com you can read up to date content-rich quality info, hydrogen car, rmation in an easy to understand style. Written for the Do It Yourself Detailer.
Source: articleage.com
Auto glass that is clean and clear? I know what you might be thinking. I already get my windows clean, thats easy enough right? While they may appear clean, until your auto glass is CLEAR its not really clean. Will you buy that?
OK. Enough small talk lets git r done. While to many this is no surprise some may not realize that
Many glass cleaners contain ammonia.
Ammonia is a chemical, hydrogen car, compound consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms with the formula NH3. At standard temperature and pressure, ammonia is a gas. It is toxic and corrosive to some materials, and has a characteristic pungent odor.
That is the science of ammonia. However, hydrogen car, it is used in household cleaning products, one being glass cleaner. Due to some of the, hydrogen car, chemical parts of ammonia I recommend using a ammonia-free auto glass cleaner.
Why? Well ammonia is known for stripping the natural oils in vinyl and rubber, as well, hydrogen car, as leather. It has a strong gaseous odor to it that makes it harmful to breathe when it is used inside your car.
So what do you use?
Thats, hydrogen car, a good question. Use an auto glass cleaner that is ammonia-free of course, and one that is good at cutting through road grime and bug splatter. Meguiars NTX, Stoners Invisible, hydrogen car, Glass Cleaner, is really great at breaking up all the different contaminants that you are likely to encounter on your auto glass. It is also safe to use on tinted windows.
When you begin to clean your automobile glass, either clean all of the outside first, or begin on all of the inside glass. Why? So that any streaks you may leave in the process, can be seen more easily.(Be sure the window is washed before you begin) With that said, here are the materials you will need:
Meguiars, hydrogen car, NXT Auto Glass Cleaner, Stoners Invisible Glass Cleaner
0000 Steel Wool
either soft cotton towels(enough for the job)
OR Waffle-Weave Microfiber Towels
Take your glass cleaner and apply it to a 2'section of the front windshield. Take your steel wool and using a waving goodbye type of motion, and gently work the glass cleaner around.
Side Note: (Don't worry, in my years of experience I have yet to see this type of steel wool damage a window. Speaking of scratches,You are more likely to scratch your window at the start, hydrogen car, of rain or a storm, due to the surface dirt getting pushed around by your windshield wipers)
Afterwards use your towel to dry up the cleaner on the windshield. Is it smooth? If yes, proceed to the other half doing the exact same thing. Continue this around the whole of the car, cleaning the auto glass.
Now for those hard to reach places on the inside of the the auto glass, use an attachment, hydrogen car, that is flat and soft with the towel wrapped around it.
It can be any thing you can think of, that will reach back on to the surface you are trying to reach. Just be careful not to scratch up the window.
The windshield wipers, in order to keep, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, them operating as long as possible, you want to use a rubber dressing on them when you clean your auto glass to keep them soft and in good working condition.
K.M.Dodd is a car enthusiast,, hydrogen car, and an experienced auto detailer with over twelve years in the field of automotive detailing. Auto-detailings.com is a growing compilation of his knowledge and expertise. At Auto-detailings.com you can read up to date content-rich quality info, hydrogen car, rmation in an easy to understand style. Written for the Do It Yourself Detailer.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Mazda To Launch New Biofabric For Auto Interiors
Author: Anthony Fontanelle
Source: articledashboard.com
Mazda Motor Corp., hydrogen car, in partnership with Teijin Ltd. and Teijin Fibers Ltd. has formulated the world's first biofabric for use in auto interiors. The plant-derived material will be launched by the Japanese automaker in Tokyo.
Mazda's new biofabric posses the class and durability essential for use in seat covers. The material, made of 100 percent polylactic acid, is resistant to fire, damage, abrasion, and sunlight. Biofabric, hydrogen car, combines sizable lactic, hydrogen car, acid molecules, hydrogen car, that are made from fermented carbohydrates such as plant sugars. As such, it meets the company's "highest quality standards."
This newly developed biofabric has harnessed the latest technologies to control the entire molecular architecture of raw resins to improve fiber strength for practical auto interior use. Other crucial qualities necessary for the highest performing fabrics, such as fire retardant properties, were achieved through, hydrogen car, Mazda's accumulated, hydrogen car, knowledge in surface technologies built up through years of collaboration with several local companies.
The automaker intends to unveil the biofabric for the seat covers, hydrogen car, and the door trim in the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid. The new hybrid will be displayed at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid will also benefit from Mazda's environmentally friendly bioplastic which was developed in the previous year. This newly developed biofabric, hydrogen car, does not contain any oil-based materials, yet it possesses the quality and durability required for use in vehicle seat covers.
"Mazda succeeded in developing this 100 percent plant-derived biofabric for use in vehicle interiors by leveraging the technical expertise we have amassed in the Hiroshima area," said Seita Kanai, Mazda's director and senior executive officer in charge of R&D. "We are convinced that our new technology, which enables the manufacture of this material without any oil-based resources, will become a cornerstone, hydrogen car, for future biotechnologies aimed at reducing the burden on the environment. Mazda, working together with our locally-based partners, will continue its research and development programs aimed at achieving a future car society that is eco-friendly."
Based on this innovative biotechnology, the Japanese automaker will strengthen its future research and development on non-food-based materials taking in consideration the impact of such technologies on food supplies.
Along with the soy-foam seats introduced in the 2008 Ford Mustang, Mazda's biofabric is another milestone that can push Ford Motor Corp. family of manufacturers to lessen the impact of the materials used in building its lineup.
According to the automaker, all of its biomaterials fall under the "Mazda Biotechmaterial" brand name. Additionally, the automaker has intimated its commitment to continue its research and development efforts for the mentioned environmentally friendly technologies which will help to realize a sustainable society in the near future.
Aside from improving car accessories, the automaker is also enhancing parts like Mazda fuel pump, engines, filters, radiator, brakes, and other auto systems, hydrogen car, .
Source: articledashboard.com
Mazda Motor Corp., hydrogen car, in partnership with Teijin Ltd. and Teijin Fibers Ltd. has formulated the world's first biofabric for use in auto interiors. The plant-derived material will be launched by the Japanese automaker in Tokyo.
Mazda's new biofabric posses the class and durability essential for use in seat covers. The material, made of 100 percent polylactic acid, is resistant to fire, damage, abrasion, and sunlight. Biofabric, hydrogen car, combines sizable lactic, hydrogen car, acid molecules, hydrogen car, that are made from fermented carbohydrates such as plant sugars. As such, it meets the company's "highest quality standards."
This newly developed biofabric has harnessed the latest technologies to control the entire molecular architecture of raw resins to improve fiber strength for practical auto interior use. Other crucial qualities necessary for the highest performing fabrics, such as fire retardant properties, were achieved through, hydrogen car, Mazda's accumulated, hydrogen car, knowledge in surface technologies built up through years of collaboration with several local companies.
The automaker intends to unveil the biofabric for the seat covers, hydrogen car, and the door trim in the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid. The new hybrid will be displayed at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid will also benefit from Mazda's environmentally friendly bioplastic which was developed in the previous year. This newly developed biofabric, hydrogen car, does not contain any oil-based materials, yet it possesses the quality and durability required for use in vehicle seat covers.
"Mazda succeeded in developing this 100 percent plant-derived biofabric for use in vehicle interiors by leveraging the technical expertise we have amassed in the Hiroshima area," said Seita Kanai, Mazda's director and senior executive officer in charge of R&D. "We are convinced that our new technology, which enables the manufacture of this material without any oil-based resources, will become a cornerstone, hydrogen car, for future biotechnologies aimed at reducing the burden on the environment. Mazda, working together with our locally-based partners, will continue its research and development programs aimed at achieving a future car society that is eco-friendly."
Based on this innovative biotechnology, the Japanese automaker will strengthen its future research and development on non-food-based materials taking in consideration the impact of such technologies on food supplies.
Along with the soy-foam seats introduced in the 2008 Ford Mustang, Mazda's biofabric is another milestone that can push Ford Motor Corp. family of manufacturers to lessen the impact of the materials used in building its lineup.
According to the automaker, all of its biomaterials fall under the "Mazda Biotechmaterial" brand name. Additionally, the automaker has intimated its commitment to continue its research and development efforts for the mentioned environmentally friendly technologies which will help to realize a sustainable society in the near future.
Aside from improving car accessories, the automaker is also enhancing parts like Mazda fuel pump, engines, filters, radiator, brakes, and other auto systems, hydrogen car, .
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Heads Of Gm, Ford, And Chrysler Meet Again With Bush
Author: Katie Jones
Source: articledashboard.com
CEOs of the Detroit's Big Three met with US President George W. Bush to tackle the use of alternative fuels. The talk is also an effort on the part of the administration, hydrogen car, to solicit support for the "20 in 10 program," which is aimed at reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent come the year 2017.
General Motors Corp. Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally and, hydrogen car, Chrysler Group CEO Tom LaSorda all expressed strong support for Bush's goal of significantly, hydrogen car, increasing the amount of ethanol used to fuel vehicles. The ethanol accounts for 15 percent of the intended reduction.
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney participated in the demonstration of the three flex-fuel, hydrogen car, vehicles which were parked on the south lawn of the White House. The vehicles include a concept vehicle from Ford, the Edge Hy-Series Hybrid which can run on electricity or hydrogen alone; the flex-fuel Chevrolet Impala; and a bio-diesel fueled Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The vehicles do not only flaunt striking GM engines, Ford body parts, and, hydrogen car, Chrysler styling but they showcase the future of fuels. The automakers affirm their commitment to increase flex-fuel vehicles like those that run on biodiesel or ethanol. The target is to increase flex-fuel vehicles up to 50 percent by 2012. But automakers noted that it is not very difficult to convert a traditional gasoline engine to a flexible fuel vehicle. The conversion typically costs $100 or less.
"I found it very interesting that by 2012, 50 percent of the automobiles in America will be flex-fuel vehicles. That means that the American, hydrogen car, consumer will be able to either use gasoline or ethanol, depending upon, obviously, price and convenience. That's a major technological breakthrough for the country," Bush said. "If you want to reduce gasoline usage, like I believe we need to do so for national security reasons, as well as for environmental concerns, the consumer has got to be in a position to make a rational choice."
Bush reiterated his call on Congress, hydrogen car, to "move expeditiously on our plan to reduce gasoline, hydrogen car, usage by 20 percent over the next 10 years." Bush added, "It's in our national security interest that, hydrogen car, we do this, it's in economic security interest we do it, and all at the same time, it will help us be better stewards of the environment."
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, commended the talk but said it is only a start. "I'm encouraged by the President's willingness to sit down with the Big Three, but the real proof, hydrogen car, of his commitment must come in the form of action," she said. "Michigan is building the cars, and it's time that the, hydrogen car, Administration put their full weight behind ensuring that all Americans have, hydrogen car, access to alternative fuels at their local gas station."
But environmental advocates said the emphasis on alternative fuels missed the point. Joan Claybrook, the president of Public Citizen, a group that advocates higher fuel economy standards said: "Automakers fool consumers into thinking they are helping the environment and lessening our dependency on foreign oil, while they manipulate the CAFE credit loophole, avoid meeting federal fuel economy standards and laugh their way to the bank."
Source: articledashboard.com
CEOs of the Detroit's Big Three met with US President George W. Bush to tackle the use of alternative fuels. The talk is also an effort on the part of the administration, hydrogen car, to solicit support for the "20 in 10 program," which is aimed at reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent come the year 2017.
General Motors Corp. Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally and, hydrogen car, Chrysler Group CEO Tom LaSorda all expressed strong support for Bush's goal of significantly, hydrogen car, increasing the amount of ethanol used to fuel vehicles. The ethanol accounts for 15 percent of the intended reduction.
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney participated in the demonstration of the three flex-fuel, hydrogen car, vehicles which were parked on the south lawn of the White House. The vehicles include a concept vehicle from Ford, the Edge Hy-Series Hybrid which can run on electricity or hydrogen alone; the flex-fuel Chevrolet Impala; and a bio-diesel fueled Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The vehicles do not only flaunt striking GM engines, Ford body parts, and, hydrogen car, Chrysler styling but they showcase the future of fuels. The automakers affirm their commitment to increase flex-fuel vehicles like those that run on biodiesel or ethanol. The target is to increase flex-fuel vehicles up to 50 percent by 2012. But automakers noted that it is not very difficult to convert a traditional gasoline engine to a flexible fuel vehicle. The conversion typically costs $100 or less.
"I found it very interesting that by 2012, 50 percent of the automobiles in America will be flex-fuel vehicles. That means that the American, hydrogen car, consumer will be able to either use gasoline or ethanol, depending upon, obviously, price and convenience. That's a major technological breakthrough for the country," Bush said. "If you want to reduce gasoline usage, like I believe we need to do so for national security reasons, as well as for environmental concerns, the consumer has got to be in a position to make a rational choice."
Bush reiterated his call on Congress, hydrogen car, to "move expeditiously on our plan to reduce gasoline, hydrogen car, usage by 20 percent over the next 10 years." Bush added, "It's in our national security interest that, hydrogen car, we do this, it's in economic security interest we do it, and all at the same time, it will help us be better stewards of the environment."
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, commended the talk but said it is only a start. "I'm encouraged by the President's willingness to sit down with the Big Three, but the real proof, hydrogen car, of his commitment must come in the form of action," she said. "Michigan is building the cars, and it's time that the, hydrogen car, Administration put their full weight behind ensuring that all Americans have, hydrogen car, access to alternative fuels at their local gas station."
But environmental advocates said the emphasis on alternative fuels missed the point. Joan Claybrook, the president of Public Citizen, a group that advocates higher fuel economy standards said: "Automakers fool consumers into thinking they are helping the environment and lessening our dependency on foreign oil, while they manipulate the CAFE credit loophole, avoid meeting federal fuel economy standards and laugh their way to the bank."
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
GM Death Watch: It Ain't Gonna Happen!
Author: Matthew C. Keegan
Source: articleage.com
I have been enjoying reading the news these past few days, perhaps in a perverse sort of way. Pundits and prognosticators are all forecasting the pending doom of the worldย's largest automaker as if the, hydrogen car, approaching layoffs and restructuring are signaling the venerable automakerย's, hydrogen car, end. Certainly, GM has some problems ย-, hydrogen car, big ones ย- but the company isnย't likely to go away or even file for bankruptcy. The news isnย't all that it seems to be on this subject eitherย…GM will survive and likely thrive in the decades ahead.
Okay, I am not crazy. Could GM go away? Of course, as could any poorly managed company. Yes, executives are overpaid and so are union workers. Thereย…I said it. GM has been taking it on the chin from Asian automakers for three decades now and their U.S. market share continues to dwindle. Still, it isnย't doomsday for the general. Far from it. Here are some things that I believe GM is attempting to do to as they restructure, hydrogen car, .
Reduced Legacy Costs ย- GM won an important, hydrogen car, battle with its unions to force workers and retirees to pony up more money for their share of rising healthcare costs. Before you cry ย"foulย" most Americans are paying heavily for their health insurance, while most autoworkers pay little or nothing. Reportedly, GMย's legacy costs add $1500 to the price of every vehicle. Hardly a way for any company to compete, right?
Divisional Trimming ย- GM axed Oldsmobile and is, supposedly, looking at whether Pontiac or Buick should go next. Saturn looks safe, primarily because of the divisionย's excellent dealer network while Chevrolet is the household name for so many car owners and is, therefore, untouchable. Cadillac is once again doing well and is competing effectively against Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, and Infiniti. Cadillac easily outsells, hydrogen car, rival Lincoln more than 2 to 1.
Captive Imports ย- I mentioned in a related,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, article that Chinaย's Chery Automotive Company will be importing a line of vehicles to the US commencing in Summer 2007. With a starting price as low as $6995, there is no way that GM can compete with them. Neither can Ford, Toyota, Honda, or Nissan for that, hydrogen car, matter. So, what is the option? Import one or two ultra low priced lines of cars from Korea via the companyย's Daewoo division. Currently, the $9995 Chevy Aveo is the low price king in the US. This Daewoo built model is being overhauled and the new model should arrive in the US, hydrogen car, in about one year. Expect the price to drop as GM prepares for Cheryย's onslaught. Expect GM to pressure their unions for further give backs as American highways are soon flooded with cheap Chinese imports.
Operational Spread -- The US auto market is the most lucrative in the world. Expect GM to strengthen luxury brands, hydrogen car, including Cadillac and Hummer as many of these vehicles bring in profits of ten thousand dollars or more per vehicle. Gas prices are coming down and Americaย's thirst for profitable trucks and SUVs has hardly been quenched, hydrogen car, . Still, look for GM to do a few hybrids, add some more diesels, and continue researching hydrogen production.
Union members should be alarmed by all these looming changes. Cutbacks will happen but they will only be wider and deeper if union opposition remains so strong. Yes, the unions could kill off the general, but that would be suicide for the workers. Better to pick whatever battles you can win and hope for the best.
The general isnย't dead and it hardly is dying despite everything you read and hear [personally, I believe GM is beating, hydrogen car, the, hydrogen car, ย"weย're getting clobberedย" drum to squeeze out more give backs from the unions]. Globalism is changing the way business is done and it would do all of us good to wake up to that factย…like it or not.
Source: articleage.com
I have been enjoying reading the news these past few days, perhaps in a perverse sort of way. Pundits and prognosticators are all forecasting the pending doom of the worldย's largest automaker as if the, hydrogen car, approaching layoffs and restructuring are signaling the venerable automakerย's, hydrogen car, end. Certainly, GM has some problems ย-, hydrogen car, big ones ย- but the company isnย't likely to go away or even file for bankruptcy. The news isnย't all that it seems to be on this subject eitherย…GM will survive and likely thrive in the decades ahead.
Okay, I am not crazy. Could GM go away? Of course, as could any poorly managed company. Yes, executives are overpaid and so are union workers. Thereย…I said it. GM has been taking it on the chin from Asian automakers for three decades now and their U.S. market share continues to dwindle. Still, it isnย't doomsday for the general. Far from it. Here are some things that I believe GM is attempting to do to as they restructure, hydrogen car, .
Reduced Legacy Costs ย- GM won an important, hydrogen car, battle with its unions to force workers and retirees to pony up more money for their share of rising healthcare costs. Before you cry ย"foulย" most Americans are paying heavily for their health insurance, while most autoworkers pay little or nothing. Reportedly, GMย's legacy costs add $1500 to the price of every vehicle. Hardly a way for any company to compete, right?
Divisional Trimming ย- GM axed Oldsmobile and is, supposedly, looking at whether Pontiac or Buick should go next. Saturn looks safe, primarily because of the divisionย's excellent dealer network while Chevrolet is the household name for so many car owners and is, therefore, untouchable. Cadillac is once again doing well and is competing effectively against Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, and Infiniti. Cadillac easily outsells, hydrogen car, rival Lincoln more than 2 to 1.
Captive Imports ย- I mentioned in a related,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, article that Chinaย's Chery Automotive Company will be importing a line of vehicles to the US commencing in Summer 2007. With a starting price as low as $6995, there is no way that GM can compete with them. Neither can Ford, Toyota, Honda, or Nissan for that, hydrogen car, matter. So, what is the option? Import one or two ultra low priced lines of cars from Korea via the companyย's Daewoo division. Currently, the $9995 Chevy Aveo is the low price king in the US. This Daewoo built model is being overhauled and the new model should arrive in the US, hydrogen car, in about one year. Expect the price to drop as GM prepares for Cheryย's onslaught. Expect GM to pressure their unions for further give backs as American highways are soon flooded with cheap Chinese imports.
Operational Spread -- The US auto market is the most lucrative in the world. Expect GM to strengthen luxury brands, hydrogen car, including Cadillac and Hummer as many of these vehicles bring in profits of ten thousand dollars or more per vehicle. Gas prices are coming down and Americaย's thirst for profitable trucks and SUVs has hardly been quenched, hydrogen car, . Still, look for GM to do a few hybrids, add some more diesels, and continue researching hydrogen production.
Union members should be alarmed by all these looming changes. Cutbacks will happen but they will only be wider and deeper if union opposition remains so strong. Yes, the unions could kill off the general, but that would be suicide for the workers. Better to pick whatever battles you can win and hope for the best.
The general isnย't dead and it hardly is dying despite everything you read and hear [personally, I believe GM is beating, hydrogen car, the, hydrogen car, ย"weย're getting clobberedย" drum to squeeze out more give backs from the unions]. Globalism is changing the way business is done and it would do all of us good to wake up to that factย…like it or not.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Possibilities Of Automobiles Powered By Air!
Author: Green Feat
Source: articledashboard.com
One fascinating project I have been keeping tabs on since the late 1990's is a company founded in France but now based in Spain by the name of MDI. Founded, hydrogen car, by a former race car technician named Guy Negre who's impetus for his invention came from his background in racing.
MDI has created a high performance Auto mobile that runs completely on compressed air, hydrogen car, technology. In comparison to traditional gas powered engines, the compressed air based technology is infinitely superior in regards to energy used and thermodynamics.
More information regarding the MDI Air Car:
The technology for an air-powered motor has been around for a number of years however Mr Negre has perfected it and readied it to be fully commercialized on a worldwide scale. The 2 main benefits, hydrogen car, of this, hydrogen car, technology are fuel savings for the driver, and the beneficial environmental, hydrogen car, impact it will have could be astounding. It seems that these Air-Powered, hydrogen car, racers are ready to take the world by storm.
Unlike electric, hybrid or hydrogen powered vehicles, the AirCar isn't high-priced and doesn't have a limited range as many detractors have claimed. MDI vehicles are quite affordable and feature a level of efficiency that equates favorably with currently available eco-cars. To sum up, the MD AirCars are non-expensive and feature a minimal environmental footprint, and are uncomplicated to get around cities in.
The MDI AirCar operates on a safe fuel source(compressed air) that doesn't pose a fire or explosive hazard, does not emit toxic gases and hydrocarbons, is fun to drive and reliable. They, hydrogen car, plan to release 2 versions initially, a 6 passenger sedan call the CityCat for $16,000 and a smaller 3 seat commuter-car for around $10,000
The way the AirCar works is that an electric pump forces compressed air into a storage tank, the compressed air is then let out to force the movement of pistons to rotate the drive, hydrogen car, shaft of the vehicle, similar to a standard gasoline engine process. If driving a top speed, the AirCar has a limited range of about 50 miles, but can be stretched out if driving at a lower rate. They are also working on hybrid models that have an unlimited range like a regular automobile. These models will, hydrogen car, run on a combination of compressed air and fuels such as bio-fuel, gas or diesel. Somewhat more expensive, but capable of greater speeds and distance. The Air-only models satisfy the needs of most city drivers.
The single energy powerplants will be, hydrogen car, available in both Minicats and Citycats. These engines have been developed for urban center usage, where the upper limit speed, hydrogen car, is 50 km/h and where MDI thinks polluting will before long be forbidden. It is already conceivable to see cases of this in various places, such as London, where if you decide to go into the city center with gas powered automobiles, you must pay a fee.
All MDI, hydrogen car, automobiles will have the option of being equipped with a hybrid engine, which has been added so the vehicle can be driven longer distances as well as city driving. When the car is taken out of the city at speeds over 50km/h the engine will switch over to the fuel burning source, but when in a city driving below 50, it will work exclusively on air. The dual source engine will be able to use gasoline, diesel, ethanol or, hydrogen car, alcohol as it's combustion source.
Both power plants will be available with 2, 4 and 6 cylinders, once the air tanks are discharged the driver will be able to alternate between fuel, hydrogen car, mode, thanks to the car's on board data processor.
The cost to the Environment? According to MDI the only exhaust that pushes through of the tail pipe is cold air on the Air-only models.
Source: articledashboard.com
One fascinating project I have been keeping tabs on since the late 1990's is a company founded in France but now based in Spain by the name of MDI. Founded, hydrogen car, by a former race car technician named Guy Negre who's impetus for his invention came from his background in racing.
MDI has created a high performance Auto mobile that runs completely on compressed air, hydrogen car, technology. In comparison to traditional gas powered engines, the compressed air based technology is infinitely superior in regards to energy used and thermodynamics.
More information regarding the MDI Air Car:
The technology for an air-powered motor has been around for a number of years however Mr Negre has perfected it and readied it to be fully commercialized on a worldwide scale. The 2 main benefits, hydrogen car, of this, hydrogen car, technology are fuel savings for the driver, and the beneficial environmental, hydrogen car, impact it will have could be astounding. It seems that these Air-Powered, hydrogen car, racers are ready to take the world by storm.
Unlike electric, hybrid or hydrogen powered vehicles, the AirCar isn't high-priced and doesn't have a limited range as many detractors have claimed. MDI vehicles are quite affordable and feature a level of efficiency that equates favorably with currently available eco-cars. To sum up, the MD AirCars are non-expensive and feature a minimal environmental footprint, and are uncomplicated to get around cities in.
The MDI AirCar operates on a safe fuel source(compressed air) that doesn't pose a fire or explosive hazard, does not emit toxic gases and hydrocarbons, is fun to drive and reliable. They, hydrogen car, plan to release 2 versions initially, a 6 passenger sedan call the CityCat for $16,000 and a smaller 3 seat commuter-car for around $10,000
The way the AirCar works is that an electric pump forces compressed air into a storage tank, the compressed air is then let out to force the movement of pistons to rotate the drive, hydrogen car, shaft of the vehicle, similar to a standard gasoline engine process. If driving a top speed, the AirCar has a limited range of about 50 miles, but can be stretched out if driving at a lower rate. They are also working on hybrid models that have an unlimited range like a regular automobile. These models will, hydrogen car, run on a combination of compressed air and fuels such as bio-fuel, gas or diesel. Somewhat more expensive, but capable of greater speeds and distance. The Air-only models satisfy the needs of most city drivers.
The single energy powerplants will be, hydrogen car, available in both Minicats and Citycats. These engines have been developed for urban center usage, where the upper limit speed, hydrogen car, is 50 km/h and where MDI thinks polluting will before long be forbidden. It is already conceivable to see cases of this in various places, such as London, where if you decide to go into the city center with gas powered automobiles, you must pay a fee.
All MDI, hydrogen car, automobiles will have the option of being equipped with a hybrid engine, which has been added so the vehicle can be driven longer distances as well as city driving. When the car is taken out of the city at speeds over 50km/h the engine will switch over to the fuel burning source, but when in a city driving below 50, it will work exclusively on air. The dual source engine will be able to use gasoline, diesel, ethanol or, hydrogen car, alcohol as it's combustion source.
Both power plants will be available with 2, 4 and 6 cylinders, once the air tanks are discharged the driver will be able to alternate between fuel, hydrogen car, mode, thanks to the car's on board data processor.
The cost to the Environment? According to MDI the only exhaust that pushes through of the tail pipe is cold air on the Air-only models.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Joint Statement Of Ford, Gm, Chrysler On Meeting With Pres. Bush
Author: Dwyane Thomas
Source: articledashboard.com
The Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of America's leading Detroit-based automakers including Richard Wagoner of General Motors, Alan Mulally of Ford Motor Company, and Tom LaSorda of Chrysler Group has recently conducted a meeting with President George W. Bush to help improve the development of alternative fuel (e.g., hydrogen car, ethanol and biodiesel fuel). The three automakers also aim to reduce the country's dependence on petroleum based products and reduce consumption of gas.
After the meeting with President Bush, the three CEOs went outside the White House with the President and US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to discuss some ways on how to improve the consumer's access to alternative fuels.
Here is what the three CEOs said in a join statement regarding the meeting:
"We, hydrogen car, briefed, hydrogen car, the President about the more than 6 million FFVs on the road today, hydrogen car, and we will add over a million FFV cars and trucks in 2007 alone. We explained to the President that if all these vehicles were running on E85, they would displace more than 3.6 billion gallons of gasoline a year. And even more compelling, if all the E85 capable vehicles on the road today -- along,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, with those that GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler have already committed to produce over the next 10 years -- were to run on E85, we could displace 22 billion gallons of gasoline annually. Also, if all manufacturers made a comparable commitment, hydrogen car, to make half their annual production capable of running on biofuels, we could increase the savings to 37 billion gallons of gasoline annually in 2017.
Furthermore, we pointed out the benefits of clean diesel technology and that if all diesel vehicles today were fueled with B5 (five percent biodiesel) we could displace 1.85 billion, hydrogen car, gallons of petroleum per year; and 7.4 billion gallons per year if B20 (20 percent biodiesel) were utilized.
In order to achieve these levels, hydrogen car, of petroleum savings, we asked the President to help provide, hydrogen car, Americans with reasonable access to these fuels at a price that is competitive with gasoline. Right now there are approximately 1,100 E85 pumps in the U.S. and 1,000 biodiesel pumps, out of 170,000 gas stations. We expressed to the President that we are willing to lead the way, but we need government, hydrogen car, and, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, fuel providers to increase infrastructure before we can make a meaningful impact.
In addition, we discussed with the President that as part of an overall national strategy to fully tap the potential of biofuels to displace petroleum, vehicle production increases must be accompanied by continuing the incentives that encourage the manufacture, distribution, and availability of biofuels and the production of flexible fuel vehicles.
We updated the President on our wide range of advanced vehicle technologies that run on alternative fuels such as E85, biodiesel, electricity and hydrogen. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, hydrogen car, can play a significant role in our transportation future. Increased funding for domestic battery research and development can help accelerate bringing these vehicles to market.
Overall, we were pleased with the exchange that we had with the President and all parties came away with an understanding of the significant, positive impact that biofuels can make on the environment and in reducing our nation's reliance on oil.
We welcome the opportunity to continue working with President Bush, his Administration, and the Congress in a bipartisan manner and to move forward on solutions to these issues while continuing to do our part to ensure America's long-standing leadership in manufacturing and innovation."
This statement emphasizes that GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler will develop and produce vehicles with E85 capability in the next 10 years. So expect to see a Mercedes-Benz luxury super car model running on ethanol fuel pumping out on its Mercedes engine parts.
Source: articledashboard.com
The Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of America's leading Detroit-based automakers including Richard Wagoner of General Motors, Alan Mulally of Ford Motor Company, and Tom LaSorda of Chrysler Group has recently conducted a meeting with President George W. Bush to help improve the development of alternative fuel (e.g., hydrogen car, ethanol and biodiesel fuel). The three automakers also aim to reduce the country's dependence on petroleum based products and reduce consumption of gas.
After the meeting with President Bush, the three CEOs went outside the White House with the President and US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to discuss some ways on how to improve the consumer's access to alternative fuels.
Here is what the three CEOs said in a join statement regarding the meeting:
"We, hydrogen car, briefed, hydrogen car, the President about the more than 6 million FFVs on the road today, hydrogen car, and we will add over a million FFV cars and trucks in 2007 alone. We explained to the President that if all these vehicles were running on E85, they would displace more than 3.6 billion gallons of gasoline a year. And even more compelling, if all the E85 capable vehicles on the road today -- along,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, with those that GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler have already committed to produce over the next 10 years -- were to run on E85, we could displace 22 billion gallons of gasoline annually. Also, if all manufacturers made a comparable commitment, hydrogen car, to make half their annual production capable of running on biofuels, we could increase the savings to 37 billion gallons of gasoline annually in 2017.
Furthermore, we pointed out the benefits of clean diesel technology and that if all diesel vehicles today were fueled with B5 (five percent biodiesel) we could displace 1.85 billion, hydrogen car, gallons of petroleum per year; and 7.4 billion gallons per year if B20 (20 percent biodiesel) were utilized.
In order to achieve these levels, hydrogen car, of petroleum savings, we asked the President to help provide, hydrogen car, Americans with reasonable access to these fuels at a price that is competitive with gasoline. Right now there are approximately 1,100 E85 pumps in the U.S. and 1,000 biodiesel pumps, out of 170,000 gas stations. We expressed to the President that we are willing to lead the way, but we need government, hydrogen car, and, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, fuel providers to increase infrastructure before we can make a meaningful impact.
In addition, we discussed with the President that as part of an overall national strategy to fully tap the potential of biofuels to displace petroleum, vehicle production increases must be accompanied by continuing the incentives that encourage the manufacture, distribution, and availability of biofuels and the production of flexible fuel vehicles.
We updated the President on our wide range of advanced vehicle technologies that run on alternative fuels such as E85, biodiesel, electricity and hydrogen. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, hydrogen car, can play a significant role in our transportation future. Increased funding for domestic battery research and development can help accelerate bringing these vehicles to market.
Overall, we were pleased with the exchange that we had with the President and all parties came away with an understanding of the significant, positive impact that biofuels can make on the environment and in reducing our nation's reliance on oil.
We welcome the opportunity to continue working with President Bush, his Administration, and the Congress in a bipartisan manner and to move forward on solutions to these issues while continuing to do our part to ensure America's long-standing leadership in manufacturing and innovation."
This statement emphasizes that GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler will develop and produce vehicles with E85 capability in the next 10 years. So expect to see a Mercedes-Benz luxury super car model running on ethanol fuel pumping out on its Mercedes engine parts.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Environment-friendly Vehicles Showcased By Ford Motor Company
Author: Glady Reign
Source: articledashboard.com
The Ford Motor Company is one of the car manufacturers committed to cleaning the air. They are doing their part in the protection of the environment by designing and producing alternative fuel vehicles. They are also a good supporter of President Bush's proposed mandate of reducing the dependency of the country on foreign oil and reducing the amount of harmful greenhouse emissions by as much as 20 percent by the year 2017. At the recently held 2007 Washington (D.C.) Auto Show, the, hydrogen car, domestic car manufacturer has unveiled the hydrogen-fueled, battery-powered, plug-in Ford Edge.
During the unveiling of the cutting-edge alternative fuel vehicle, government officials and legislators are present. Their presence is important for the carmaker, since they can show the lawmakers what they can develop in the future and that their effort in cleaning up the environment and reducing dependency on foreign oil is quite possible. Scott Staley, the Chief Engineer for, hydrogen car, Ford's Hybrid and Fuel Cell Technology Development, commented that: "Besides the public, the audience in Washington includes people in charge of energy and clean air policy so this is very much a showplace for exhibiting what Ford technology can do in the future".
The Ford Edge unveiled at the Washington Auto Show was developed, hydrogen car, under contract from the US Department of Energy. This is another sign that the government is serious in their effort to help car makers in the development of clean cars. The main technology in the hydrogen electric hybrid vehicle is the HySeries Drive. The system uses the hydrogen fuel cell to recharge, hydrogen car, the 336-volt lithium-ion battery, hydrogen car, pack. The Ford Edge hybrid uses the battery for the first 25 miles of operation, with a top speed of 85 miles per hour. Once the system detects that the battery has lost as much as 40 percent of its charge, the fuel cell then takes on the job of powering the car. While the vehicle runs on the, hydrogen car, fuel cell, the battery, hydrogen car, is being charged for future use.
The capability of the system to shift from battery to fuel cell power allows the Ford Edge to travel as far as 225 miles on a full charge. In terms of MPG rating, the equivalent rating of the, hydrogen car, Ford Edge hybrid is 41 miles per gallon. Aside from the fact that the battery, hydrogen car, can be charge using the fuel cell as it powers the vehicle, the Ford Edge is also a plug-in car. This means that its battery can be charged using a standard household electrical outlet.
The Ford Edge is one of a kind in the sense that most hybrid electric vehicles use an electric motor powered by a battery pack to complement an internal combustion engine. This means that these vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, also make use of gasoline although, hydrogen car, in significantly lower amounts. In contrast, the Ford Edge hybrid uses fuel cell to complement the use of battery power to drive the vehicle. Aside from the capability of the Ford Edge hydrogen electric hybrid to use alternative fuels, it is also made out of reliable parts, as reliable and as tough as Volvo 850 parts.
The Ford Motor Company continues their dedication to producing environmentally-friendly vehicles. The domestic car maker is the first to develop,, hydrogen car, produce, and introduce to the public an SUV hybrid. The Ford Escape hybrid, hydrogen car, was released in 2004 to give their consumers good fuel economy without sacrificing the looks and capabilities of a sports utility vehicle. The Ford Escape Hybrid remains to this day one of the cleanest and most fuel efficient small sports utility vehicle in the market today, hydrogen car, along with the Mercury Mariner.
Source: articledashboard.com
The Ford Motor Company is one of the car manufacturers committed to cleaning the air. They are doing their part in the protection of the environment by designing and producing alternative fuel vehicles. They are also a good supporter of President Bush's proposed mandate of reducing the dependency of the country on foreign oil and reducing the amount of harmful greenhouse emissions by as much as 20 percent by the year 2017. At the recently held 2007 Washington (D.C.) Auto Show, the, hydrogen car, domestic car manufacturer has unveiled the hydrogen-fueled, battery-powered, plug-in Ford Edge.
During the unveiling of the cutting-edge alternative fuel vehicle, government officials and legislators are present. Their presence is important for the carmaker, since they can show the lawmakers what they can develop in the future and that their effort in cleaning up the environment and reducing dependency on foreign oil is quite possible. Scott Staley, the Chief Engineer for, hydrogen car, Ford's Hybrid and Fuel Cell Technology Development, commented that: "Besides the public, the audience in Washington includes people in charge of energy and clean air policy so this is very much a showplace for exhibiting what Ford technology can do in the future".
The Ford Edge unveiled at the Washington Auto Show was developed, hydrogen car, under contract from the US Department of Energy. This is another sign that the government is serious in their effort to help car makers in the development of clean cars. The main technology in the hydrogen electric hybrid vehicle is the HySeries Drive. The system uses the hydrogen fuel cell to recharge, hydrogen car, the 336-volt lithium-ion battery, hydrogen car, pack. The Ford Edge hybrid uses the battery for the first 25 miles of operation, with a top speed of 85 miles per hour. Once the system detects that the battery has lost as much as 40 percent of its charge, the fuel cell then takes on the job of powering the car. While the vehicle runs on the, hydrogen car, fuel cell, the battery, hydrogen car, is being charged for future use.
The capability of the system to shift from battery to fuel cell power allows the Ford Edge to travel as far as 225 miles on a full charge. In terms of MPG rating, the equivalent rating of the, hydrogen car, Ford Edge hybrid is 41 miles per gallon. Aside from the fact that the battery, hydrogen car, can be charge using the fuel cell as it powers the vehicle, the Ford Edge is also a plug-in car. This means that its battery can be charged using a standard household electrical outlet.
The Ford Edge is one of a kind in the sense that most hybrid electric vehicles use an electric motor powered by a battery pack to complement an internal combustion engine. This means that these vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, also make use of gasoline although, hydrogen car, in significantly lower amounts. In contrast, the Ford Edge hybrid uses fuel cell to complement the use of battery power to drive the vehicle. Aside from the capability of the Ford Edge hydrogen electric hybrid to use alternative fuels, it is also made out of reliable parts, as reliable and as tough as Volvo 850 parts.
The Ford Motor Company continues their dedication to producing environmentally-friendly vehicles. The domestic car maker is the first to develop,, hydrogen car, produce, and introduce to the public an SUV hybrid. The Ford Escape hybrid, hydrogen car, was released in 2004 to give their consumers good fuel economy without sacrificing the looks and capabilities of a sports utility vehicle. The Ford Escape Hybrid remains to this day one of the cleanest and most fuel efficient small sports utility vehicle in the market today, hydrogen car, along with the Mercury Mariner.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Superior Mazda Car Parts For A Mazda Vehicle's High Performance
Author: Karen Wilson
Source: articledashboard.com
Mazda started as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. founded in 1920 in Japan. It has evolved from manufacturing machine tools to the creation, hydrogen car, of unrivaled line of vehicles. In 1984, the company has adopted the name Mazda, though this name has already been, hydrogen car, carried by every automobile, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, that are sold since its start. Since its establishment, Mazda has been creating automobiles and products that delighted every customer. During its history, Mazda has worked painstakingly to produce pioneering automobiles that integrates innovative and practical technologies in the name of environmental friendliness, handling performance, safety, fuel efficiency, and maximum convenience. And now, building those technologies have paved the way with the birth of hydrogen fuel cars that made Mazda the first company in the world to build that kind of automobile innovation. This only shows how Mazda is constantly evolving and always willing to embrace new technologies that will further heighten your driving adventure. The core of every Mazda car that provides for its ultimate road performance is its precision engineered and designed Mazda car parts.
The Mazda auto parts are the driving forces that make every, hydrogen car, Mazda car exhilarate and liberate you as well as letting you express, hydrogen car, yourself. These are built with only top versatility in mind. With the huge lines of Mazda cars, these auto parts have undertaken continuous refinements and testing procedures to ensure that they deliver their full potential that will keep every car roaring on the road and to, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, keep in pace with today's ever increasing automobile evolution. These parts boast their unmatched efficiency, reliability, and quality so as to provide you the, hydrogen car, freedom of top notch driving performance, solid mobility, stable handling, safety, and total ride quality. Along with the creativity and nimble actions of Mazda engineers, new automotive products and equipments are expected to be developed and introduced that will surely meet or exceed your expectations. From exterior, hydrogen car, to interior auto parts, you can be assured that all will match your agile standards. The Mazda car parts are the sole responsible for providing that dominant features of every Mazda car. These will definitely answer the need of every performance-oriented Mazda owner.
Mazda car parts can last the life of your Mazda car. However, this can only be possible if you do all the effort of maintaining them and ensure that they are always at their peak working conditions. Due to constant use, abuse, and harsh environmental factors plus their normal aging, some auto parts may start to fail and replacements will surely necessitate. Fortunately, there are lots of reliable Mazda auto parts distributors, hydrogen car, that cater only genuine Mazda parts. These parts are not just built to be reliable but also they carry dynamic features that will constantly allow you to reach that maximum road performance and adaptability, hydrogen car, . The concept behind these auto parts are pure power that will bring every Mazda car into life. Mazda's lines of superb models are sure to suit your specific needs and character and all are incorporated with highly functional auto parts. Until now, Mazda has been producing genuine-quality auto parts that will keep the consistent performance of your rig, allowing it to still exist in decades to come.
Source: articledashboard.com
Mazda started as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. founded in 1920 in Japan. It has evolved from manufacturing machine tools to the creation, hydrogen car, of unrivaled line of vehicles. In 1984, the company has adopted the name Mazda, though this name has already been, hydrogen car, carried by every automobile, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, that are sold since its start. Since its establishment, Mazda has been creating automobiles and products that delighted every customer. During its history, Mazda has worked painstakingly to produce pioneering automobiles that integrates innovative and practical technologies in the name of environmental friendliness, handling performance, safety, fuel efficiency, and maximum convenience. And now, building those technologies have paved the way with the birth of hydrogen fuel cars that made Mazda the first company in the world to build that kind of automobile innovation. This only shows how Mazda is constantly evolving and always willing to embrace new technologies that will further heighten your driving adventure. The core of every Mazda car that provides for its ultimate road performance is its precision engineered and designed Mazda car parts.
The Mazda auto parts are the driving forces that make every, hydrogen car, Mazda car exhilarate and liberate you as well as letting you express, hydrogen car, yourself. These are built with only top versatility in mind. With the huge lines of Mazda cars, these auto parts have undertaken continuous refinements and testing procedures to ensure that they deliver their full potential that will keep every car roaring on the road and to, hydrogen, hydrogen car, car, keep in pace with today's ever increasing automobile evolution. These parts boast their unmatched efficiency, reliability, and quality so as to provide you the, hydrogen car, freedom of top notch driving performance, solid mobility, stable handling, safety, and total ride quality. Along with the creativity and nimble actions of Mazda engineers, new automotive products and equipments are expected to be developed and introduced that will surely meet or exceed your expectations. From exterior, hydrogen car, to interior auto parts, you can be assured that all will match your agile standards. The Mazda car parts are the sole responsible for providing that dominant features of every Mazda car. These will definitely answer the need of every performance-oriented Mazda owner.
Mazda car parts can last the life of your Mazda car. However, this can only be possible if you do all the effort of maintaining them and ensure that they are always at their peak working conditions. Due to constant use, abuse, and harsh environmental factors plus their normal aging, some auto parts may start to fail and replacements will surely necessitate. Fortunately, there are lots of reliable Mazda auto parts distributors, hydrogen car, that cater only genuine Mazda parts. These parts are not just built to be reliable but also they carry dynamic features that will constantly allow you to reach that maximum road performance and adaptability, hydrogen car, . The concept behind these auto parts are pure power that will bring every Mazda car into life. Mazda's lines of superb models are sure to suit your specific needs and character and all are incorporated with highly functional auto parts. Until now, Mazda has been producing genuine-quality auto parts that will keep the consistent performance of your rig, allowing it to still exist in decades to come.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Selling Nitrogen In Tires - Is It All A Lot Of Hot Air?
Author: James Burchill
Source: articleage.com
Actually... no. But it will require a little explanation and some basic chemistry discussion so here goes...
The earths atmosphere is composed primarily of Nitrogen (78%), the remaining balance is a mixture of Oxygen (21%) and a small percentage of Ozone, Argon and Carbon gases. Isn't it ironic that the very gas (oxygen) that sustains life also causes organic materials to decompose and metals to rust?
Remove The Oxygen And Stop The Rot
To stop this decomposition you simply need to remove the oxygen from the 'air'. (Incidentally, removing oxygen also means that you remove water because water is two parts Hydrogen, hydrogen car, gas, and, hydrogen car,, hydrogen car, one part Oxygen gas.)
Removing Oxygen from products is not new, we do it all the time with our food and drink. In fact, if we did not remove the oxygen our food would not likely last long enough to make it into the hands of the consumers - or it would taste stale and unappealing.
Nitrogen In Tires
Here are a few other benefits of using Nitrogen in tires:
[1] Nitrogen is denser than Oxygen: This means the larger molecules, hydrogen car, escape less easily from tires resulting in a more gradual loss of pressure over, hydrogen car, time. According to the Michelin Tire Manual, a tire that is inflated with Nitrogen, hydrogen car, loses its pressure 3 times slower than if it were inflated with air.
[2] Nitrogen is moisture free: Pure Nitrogen inflated tires experience less steel belt and rubber, hydrogen car, degradation. Nitrogen use also reduces valve and wheel corrosion.
[3] Nitrogen provides longer tire life: Nitrogen inflated tire run cooler and require less, hydrogen car, maintenance according to the Goodyear application bulletin.
[4] Nitrogen is non-flammable: Nitrogen technology has been used in aircraft, military and race car technology for over thirty years.
Does, hydrogen car, Joe Consumer 'Get It'?
But can we expect 'Joe Consumer' to start paying for this new 'air' anytime soon? As always, the answer is "it depends." If enough businesses and corporations get behind the idea and promote, hydrogen car, it steadily, uniformly and explain the numerous safety and cost savings, then eventually the message should make it through, hydrogen car, .
However, you do need to be realistic - it's still considered by Joe Consumer to be 'new' and anything 'new' is usually avoided until it becomes familiar - it's called the product adoption process.
It's Still Weird Science
The other point to consider here is 'selling Nitrogen' is still science - and most people are not that comfortable with the whole science thing. And if, hydrogen car, you recall I mentioned that regular everyday air is, hydrogen car, 78% nitrogen anyway - so what would they be paying for?
Regular air is approximately 80% nitrogen anyway, are we to believe that an extra 20% makes all the difference… Ironically we now know that the answer is, hydrogen car, yes.
A Moral Dilemma
You and I both know that if using Nitrogen means your client's tires last longer they will save money by not having to purchase as many tires. So Nitrogen use could mean less tire sales… And that's the moral dilemma for you. Do you want to make a few dollars on tire inflation services that might ultimately reduce your tire sales or do you want, hydrogen car, to keep on doing business the way it is now?
Make Mine A Light Air
One thing's for sure, with regular air and 'diet air' (or is that Air2 with half the carbs…) Nitrogen as a tire inflation, hydrogen car, option will slowly seep into the main stream (and yes the 'seep' pun was intentional).
Now take a deep breath… you just inhaled 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and a few other lesser gases. Could you tell? Did it taste or smell different? That's part of the challenge isn't it. If regular customers are wary about the things they cannot see, what makes you think selling 'new air' is going to be any easier.
JAMES C. BURCHILL, hydrogen car, is a 20-year veteran entrepreneur and information technology executive who now provides strategic marketing consulting services to a select group of clients. He is a published author, a passionate advocate of technology and the Internet, as well as an avid study of classical advertising and marketing strategies (which he uses during, hydrogen car, 'Internet alchemy' experiments.) James is an expert in information and data management, Internet marketing and online networking. A self confessed 'information and technology enthusiast', James brings a wide range of valuable skills to any venture. Of singular note is James' ability to assimilate complex subject matter and produce clean clear 'easy-to-understand' messages. James has been interviewed many times and caused quite the media buzz when a client 'double-dog-dared' him to prove you can get front page coverage for $0. The details and that 'dumb stunt' are now part of EBay legend. Currently James lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife and family, their Siamese cat and one very nervous fish. Visit http://www.JamesBurchill.com for details.
Source: articleage.com
Actually... no. But it will require a little explanation and some basic chemistry discussion so here goes...
The earths atmosphere is composed primarily of Nitrogen (78%), the remaining balance is a mixture of Oxygen (21%) and a small percentage of Ozone, Argon and Carbon gases. Isn't it ironic that the very gas (oxygen) that sustains life also causes organic materials to decompose and metals to rust?
Remove The Oxygen And Stop The Rot
To stop this decomposition you simply need to remove the oxygen from the 'air'. (Incidentally, removing oxygen also means that you remove water because water is two parts Hydrogen, hydrogen car, gas, and, hydrogen car,, hydrogen car, one part Oxygen gas.)
Removing Oxygen from products is not new, we do it all the time with our food and drink. In fact, if we did not remove the oxygen our food would not likely last long enough to make it into the hands of the consumers - or it would taste stale and unappealing.
Nitrogen In Tires
Here are a few other benefits of using Nitrogen in tires:
[1] Nitrogen is denser than Oxygen: This means the larger molecules, hydrogen car, escape less easily from tires resulting in a more gradual loss of pressure over, hydrogen car, time. According to the Michelin Tire Manual, a tire that is inflated with Nitrogen, hydrogen car, loses its pressure 3 times slower than if it were inflated with air.
[2] Nitrogen is moisture free: Pure Nitrogen inflated tires experience less steel belt and rubber, hydrogen car, degradation. Nitrogen use also reduces valve and wheel corrosion.
[3] Nitrogen provides longer tire life: Nitrogen inflated tire run cooler and require less, hydrogen car, maintenance according to the Goodyear application bulletin.
[4] Nitrogen is non-flammable: Nitrogen technology has been used in aircraft, military and race car technology for over thirty years.
Does, hydrogen car, Joe Consumer 'Get It'?
But can we expect 'Joe Consumer' to start paying for this new 'air' anytime soon? As always, the answer is "it depends." If enough businesses and corporations get behind the idea and promote, hydrogen car, it steadily, uniformly and explain the numerous safety and cost savings, then eventually the message should make it through, hydrogen car, .
However, you do need to be realistic - it's still considered by Joe Consumer to be 'new' and anything 'new' is usually avoided until it becomes familiar - it's called the product adoption process.
It's Still Weird Science
The other point to consider here is 'selling Nitrogen' is still science - and most people are not that comfortable with the whole science thing. And if, hydrogen car, you recall I mentioned that regular everyday air is, hydrogen car, 78% nitrogen anyway - so what would they be paying for?
Regular air is approximately 80% nitrogen anyway, are we to believe that an extra 20% makes all the difference… Ironically we now know that the answer is, hydrogen car, yes.
A Moral Dilemma
You and I both know that if using Nitrogen means your client's tires last longer they will save money by not having to purchase as many tires. So Nitrogen use could mean less tire sales… And that's the moral dilemma for you. Do you want to make a few dollars on tire inflation services that might ultimately reduce your tire sales or do you want, hydrogen car, to keep on doing business the way it is now?
Make Mine A Light Air
One thing's for sure, with regular air and 'diet air' (or is that Air2 with half the carbs…) Nitrogen as a tire inflation, hydrogen car, option will slowly seep into the main stream (and yes the 'seep' pun was intentional).
Now take a deep breath… you just inhaled 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and a few other lesser gases. Could you tell? Did it taste or smell different? That's part of the challenge isn't it. If regular customers are wary about the things they cannot see, what makes you think selling 'new air' is going to be any easier.
JAMES C. BURCHILL, hydrogen car, is a 20-year veteran entrepreneur and information technology executive who now provides strategic marketing consulting services to a select group of clients. He is a published author, a passionate advocate of technology and the Internet, as well as an avid study of classical advertising and marketing strategies (which he uses during, hydrogen car, 'Internet alchemy' experiments.) James is an expert in information and data management, Internet marketing and online networking. A self confessed 'information and technology enthusiast', James brings a wide range of valuable skills to any venture. Of singular note is James' ability to assimilate complex subject matter and produce clean clear 'easy-to-understand' messages. James has been interviewed many times and caused quite the media buzz when a client 'double-dog-dared' him to prove you can get front page coverage for $0. The details and that 'dumb stunt' are now part of EBay legend. Currently James lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife and family, their Siamese cat and one very nervous fish. Visit http://www.JamesBurchill.com for details.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Top 3 Finalists For The 2007 World Car Of The Year Awards
Author: Benjsmin Hudson
Source: articledashboard.com
KPMG, a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax, and advisory, as well as accounting services has released the top three contenders for the third annual World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards.
WCOTY is a program organized and conducted by renowned automotive journalists from all over the world. Jurors have completed the evaluation of eligible vehicles for the award last January. To be eligible, hydrogen car, for a World Car award, the contender had to be in production and sold in at least five countries on two continents during 2006. Each juror has been appointed by the World Car Steering Committee based in their expertise, experience, credibility, and influence in the automotive industry. Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part, hydrogen car, of their professional work. From an initial entry list of 28 new vehicles from international automakers, the first round of voting was done to determine Top Ten World Car and World Performance Car finalists. The award is, hydrogen car, divided in three major categories including World Car of the Year, World Green Car, World Performance Car, World Design of the Year.
KPMG has recently announced the top three finalists for all categories. The winners of the 2007 World Car of the Year will be unveiled during a Press Preview at the forthcoming 2007, hydrogen car, New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in April 5.
For the 2007 World, hydrogen car, Car of the Year, the top three finalists are the Audi TT, Lexus LS 460, MINI. The top three contenders for the 2007 World Performance Car award are Audi RS4, BMW 335i, and Porsche 911 Turbo.
For the 2007 World Green Car award, the vehicles should have to be all-new or revamped, in production, and like should be on sale in at least one major market during the year 2006. In addition, the vehicle should be equipped with, hydrogen car, green technology (including hybrid, bio fuel capable, hydrogen powered, etc.) and released as a production, hydrogen car, or a prototype model in quantities of 10 or more during 2006., hydrogen car,
The BMW Hydrogen 7, Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec, and the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion with VW parts similar to VW Rabbit parts was chosen by more than 40 jurors as the top three finalists for the 2007 World Green Car award.
For the 2007 World Car Design of the Year award, jurors selected the top three vehicles that are included in the finalists, hydrogen car, of the World Car of the Year award. The 2007 World Car Design of the Year top three finalists includes Audi TT, Citroen C4 Picasso, and Fiat Grande Punto.
Source: articledashboard.com
KPMG, a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax, and advisory, as well as accounting services has released the top three contenders for the third annual World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards.
WCOTY is a program organized and conducted by renowned automotive journalists from all over the world. Jurors have completed the evaluation of eligible vehicles for the award last January. To be eligible, hydrogen car, for a World Car award, the contender had to be in production and sold in at least five countries on two continents during 2006. Each juror has been appointed by the World Car Steering Committee based in their expertise, experience, credibility, and influence in the automotive industry. Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part, hydrogen car, of their professional work. From an initial entry list of 28 new vehicles from international automakers, the first round of voting was done to determine Top Ten World Car and World Performance Car finalists. The award is, hydrogen car, divided in three major categories including World Car of the Year, World Green Car, World Performance Car, World Design of the Year.
KPMG has recently announced the top three finalists for all categories. The winners of the 2007 World Car of the Year will be unveiled during a Press Preview at the forthcoming 2007, hydrogen car, New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in April 5.
For the 2007 World, hydrogen car, Car of the Year, the top three finalists are the Audi TT, Lexus LS 460, MINI. The top three contenders for the 2007 World Performance Car award are Audi RS4, BMW 335i, and Porsche 911 Turbo.
For the 2007 World Green Car award, the vehicles should have to be all-new or revamped, in production, and like should be on sale in at least one major market during the year 2006. In addition, the vehicle should be equipped with, hydrogen car, green technology (including hybrid, bio fuel capable, hydrogen powered, etc.) and released as a production, hydrogen car, or a prototype model in quantities of 10 or more during 2006., hydrogen car,
The BMW Hydrogen 7, Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec, and the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion with VW parts similar to VW Rabbit parts was chosen by more than 40 jurors as the top three finalists for the 2007 World Green Car award.
For the 2007 World Car Design of the Year award, jurors selected the top three vehicles that are included in the finalists, hydrogen car, of the World Car of the Year award. The 2007 World Car Design of the Year top three finalists includes Audi TT, Citroen C4 Picasso, and Fiat Grande Punto.
Friday, November 13, 2009
An Overview Of The Green Car Revolution
Author: Mike Bartley
Source: articledashboard.com
For the past years, the global community has, hydrogen car, been troubled with the threat of the greenhouse effect. While this phenomenon is of no threat to the planet, increased production of greenhouse gases has led, hydrogen car, to what is now called global warming. The abundance of greenhouse gas produced by the different industries has also increased the warming effect of the greenhouse phenomenon.
One of the most blamed sectors is the auto industry because of the sheer number, hydrogen car, of vehicles on our roads today. The increasing awareness about the threat of global warming has led car manufacturers to develop and produce environment friendly cars known simply as green cars. While these cars are designed to burn less fossil fuels, one should not only look at its environment friendliness in this way. One should also consider the entire lifetime of these vehicles to find out which vehicles are really "green".
The first thing that, hydrogen car, should be considered in assessing the "greenness" of a vehicle is the matter by which it is produced. To put things in simple ways, consider the Toyota Prius and the Ford F-150. Just by looking at these vehicles, one would definitely point out that the, hydrogen car, Prius is the more environment friendly vehicle of the two. This is true in the sense that the Prius is a hybrid vehicle and therefore consumes less petroleum fuel. On the other hand, the bigger F-150, of course, needs more power to drive it therefore more fuel needs to be burned.
But in the manufacturing process, this assumption that the Toyota Prius is greener than the Ford F-150 pickup can be proven to be false.
The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car which means that it is powered by a small internal combustion engine and an electric motor. This electric motor needs a highly efficient battery pack to draw power from. The battery pack used in the, hydrogen car, Prius is a nickel-metal hydride kind and the nickel used in the manufacturing of these batteries comes from a mining plant located in Ontario, Canada. The mining plant produces harmful sulfur dioxide fumes which harm the environment. In fact, the surrounding landscape now resembles the barren surface of the moon and NASA astronauts are using the place as a testing ground for moon buggies. This shows that while the end product may have a positive impact on the environment, the production is quite another horrid story.
On the other hand, the Ford F-150 is known to be a gas-guzzler. Because of its size,, hydrogen car, the vehicle needs a bigger engine which consumes more petroleum fuel. This amount fuel being burned means that the vehicle also produces more greenhouse gas than the Prius. But in terms of production, the factory that produces the F-150 is considered as one of the most environment friendly assembly facility. Ford's River Rouge, Michigan assembly plant has a "living roof". This roof is estimated to cover 10 acres and is covered with Sedum plant. These plants have water absorbing qualities which Ford takes advantage of. The Sedums filter rainfall and converts carbon dioxide to oxygen. Aside from this, the facility also harnesses solar energy by using solar panels, hydrogen car, .
The solar energy helps provide energy to the plant as well as hot water. Additionally, the assembly plant is surrounded by over 100,000 flowering plants and shrubs and hundreds,,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, of trees. This shows that while the end result for the F-150 may be a gas-guzzling vehicle, the manufacturing facility where it is made, hydrogen car, is environment friendly.
After the production of the vehicle, the "greenness" of these vehicles is measured by their gas mileage rating. This means the number of miles that a vehicle can cover on a given amount of fuel. In this sense, hybrid vehicles such, hydrogen car, as the Toyota Prius are more environment friendly than larger vehicles such as the Ford F-150 even if these trucks are fitted with aftermarket parts such as the AEM cold air intake systems. The number of green vehicles on our roads is increasing and is not only confined to using, hydrogen car, hybrid technology.
Green vehicles also include flex-fuel vehicles. These vehicles are designed to run not only on gasoline but on a combination of gasoline and alternative fuel such as bio-ethanol. For diesel engines, biodiesel is offered as a more environment friendly alternative. Another technology being developed by car manufacturers is, hydrogen car, the fuel cell technology, hydrogen car, . This technology aims to use hydrogen as fuel. The abundance of hydrogen and the absence of greenhouse gas emissions are reasons why this alternative is the most promising green car technology as of today.
After the use of the vehicle, one should look at the, hydrogen car, way these vehicles are disposed of. No matter how clean the production and operation of a car is, it is not environment friendly if the car is disposed of indiscriminately, hydrogen car, . That is why car manufacturers are implementing recycling programs for used cars. These recycling programs ensure that the used cars will not cause harm to the environment.
For instance, the cooling agents use in a vehicle's air conditioning unit should be taken care of properly and not be released in the atmosphere. Some car manufacturers reported that they are recycling metals to be used on new vehicles. Plastics used on, hydrogen car, automobiles poses a tougher problem since these are known to be of complex structure. Nevertheless, car companies are looking for ways to make plastic wastes useful.
Source: articledashboard.com
For the past years, the global community has, hydrogen car, been troubled with the threat of the greenhouse effect. While this phenomenon is of no threat to the planet, increased production of greenhouse gases has led, hydrogen car, to what is now called global warming. The abundance of greenhouse gas produced by the different industries has also increased the warming effect of the greenhouse phenomenon.
One of the most blamed sectors is the auto industry because of the sheer number, hydrogen car, of vehicles on our roads today. The increasing awareness about the threat of global warming has led car manufacturers to develop and produce environment friendly cars known simply as green cars. While these cars are designed to burn less fossil fuels, one should not only look at its environment friendliness in this way. One should also consider the entire lifetime of these vehicles to find out which vehicles are really "green".
The first thing that, hydrogen car, should be considered in assessing the "greenness" of a vehicle is the matter by which it is produced. To put things in simple ways, consider the Toyota Prius and the Ford F-150. Just by looking at these vehicles, one would definitely point out that the, hydrogen car, Prius is the more environment friendly vehicle of the two. This is true in the sense that the Prius is a hybrid vehicle and therefore consumes less petroleum fuel. On the other hand, the bigger F-150, of course, needs more power to drive it therefore more fuel needs to be burned.
But in the manufacturing process, this assumption that the Toyota Prius is greener than the Ford F-150 pickup can be proven to be false.
The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car which means that it is powered by a small internal combustion engine and an electric motor. This electric motor needs a highly efficient battery pack to draw power from. The battery pack used in the, hydrogen car, Prius is a nickel-metal hydride kind and the nickel used in the manufacturing of these batteries comes from a mining plant located in Ontario, Canada. The mining plant produces harmful sulfur dioxide fumes which harm the environment. In fact, the surrounding landscape now resembles the barren surface of the moon and NASA astronauts are using the place as a testing ground for moon buggies. This shows that while the end product may have a positive impact on the environment, the production is quite another horrid story.
On the other hand, the Ford F-150 is known to be a gas-guzzler. Because of its size,, hydrogen car, the vehicle needs a bigger engine which consumes more petroleum fuel. This amount fuel being burned means that the vehicle also produces more greenhouse gas than the Prius. But in terms of production, the factory that produces the F-150 is considered as one of the most environment friendly assembly facility. Ford's River Rouge, Michigan assembly plant has a "living roof". This roof is estimated to cover 10 acres and is covered with Sedum plant. These plants have water absorbing qualities which Ford takes advantage of. The Sedums filter rainfall and converts carbon dioxide to oxygen. Aside from this, the facility also harnesses solar energy by using solar panels, hydrogen car, .
The solar energy helps provide energy to the plant as well as hot water. Additionally, the assembly plant is surrounded by over 100,000 flowering plants and shrubs and hundreds,,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, of trees. This shows that while the end result for the F-150 may be a gas-guzzling vehicle, the manufacturing facility where it is made, hydrogen car, is environment friendly.
After the production of the vehicle, the "greenness" of these vehicles is measured by their gas mileage rating. This means the number of miles that a vehicle can cover on a given amount of fuel. In this sense, hybrid vehicles such, hydrogen car, as the Toyota Prius are more environment friendly than larger vehicles such as the Ford F-150 even if these trucks are fitted with aftermarket parts such as the AEM cold air intake systems. The number of green vehicles on our roads is increasing and is not only confined to using, hydrogen car, hybrid technology.
Green vehicles also include flex-fuel vehicles. These vehicles are designed to run not only on gasoline but on a combination of gasoline and alternative fuel such as bio-ethanol. For diesel engines, biodiesel is offered as a more environment friendly alternative. Another technology being developed by car manufacturers is, hydrogen car, the fuel cell technology, hydrogen car, . This technology aims to use hydrogen as fuel. The abundance of hydrogen and the absence of greenhouse gas emissions are reasons why this alternative is the most promising green car technology as of today.
After the use of the vehicle, one should look at the, hydrogen car, way these vehicles are disposed of. No matter how clean the production and operation of a car is, it is not environment friendly if the car is disposed of indiscriminately, hydrogen car, . That is why car manufacturers are implementing recycling programs for used cars. These recycling programs ensure that the used cars will not cause harm to the environment.
For instance, the cooling agents use in a vehicle's air conditioning unit should be taken care of properly and not be released in the atmosphere. Some car manufacturers reported that they are recycling metals to be used on new vehicles. Plastics used on, hydrogen car, automobiles poses a tougher problem since these are known to be of complex structure. Nevertheless, car companies are looking for ways to make plastic wastes useful.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hybrid Volkswagen Set To Break Cover
Author: Mavis Mira
Source: articledashboard.com
Car owners are accepted for cast loyalty, that if the advocate abstraction abaft amalgam cars started to hug account in the automotive industry, not abounding car owners were all too accommodating to about-face to the new technology. In animosity of the, hydrogen car, accustomed upsides of these two-engine cars at this time of ambagious ammunition prices, consumers are, hydrogen car, just not accessible to hightail off their long-trusted agent cars. Not until their adopted automaker, hydrogen car, rolls out its adaptation of covering amalgam cars.
HEV, as this crop of dual-powered cars are known, appearance abstracted agitation and electric engines. In principle, HEV engines acquiesce the car to run alternately on either of the two accessible engines, consistent to economized, hydrogen car, ammunition consumption. The appearance of electric engines in HEVs has abundantly bargain baneful bankrupt emission. The disciplinarian can aswell opt to run the amalgam car on both the agitation and electric engines and get himself added engine ability and faster dispatch than either of the two abstracted engines can bear alone.
After years on the pipeline,, hydrogen car, German car architect Volkswagen was appear to be accessible to bazaar the company's aboriginal amalgam car, the Volkswagen Jetta. Volkswagen admiral are mum on the specs of the amalgam Jetta's engine, but industry watchers are searching at a hydrogen-powered engine as the ideal accompaniment for the souped-up Jetta engine. It was aswell appear that the next bearing Golf will appear out of the Volkswagen bulb armed with a amalgam engine and added new advanced Volkswagen parts. Aimed at accepting an ability amount of about 20%, the German automaker is eyeing an onboard hydrogen reactor for its amalgam vehicles.
Touted as Volkswagen's, hydrogen car, 21st aeon "Pocket Rocket," the Jetta is getting positioned to book bigger than the Volkswagen GTi. It is a accomplishment abounding considers to be alone ambitious thinking, abnormally in appearance of the GTi's already able specs consisting of a turbocharged 2.0 liter engine pumping out 200 application and 207 lb/ft of torque at a actual low 1,800 rpm, additional it gets six advanced apparatus instead of the accepted five. But, of course, the amalgam technology is on the Jetta's side.
Like a lot of amalgam cars, the Volkswagen Jetta promises an economical use of, hydrogen car, fuel. It boasts of a adequacy to ability up its engines on up to 60, hydrogen car, afar per gallon in city-limits, hydrogen car, driving, while a archetypal SUV ability biking 15-20, hydrogen car, afar per gallon. That's in fact three times beneath gas for the aforementioned distance. Also, its two-engine accomplish can abate billow by 90 percent, and uses far beneath gasoline than accepted cars.
With bargain bankrupt emission, the power-mulcting backpressure accretion can be minimized. This will aftereffect in beneath ache on the vehicle's bankrupt system, acceptation a apace achievement out of the vehicle. The abeyance system, moreover, is that of the aboriginal Volkswagen Jetta, so apprehend the aforementioned above car handling.
Pushing the envelope of electric car technology, the Volkswagen Jetta sports amalgam car batteries that can recharge, hydrogen car, as you drive, so there is no charge to bung in every 50 to 100 afar as a lot of electric cars necessitate. Also, a lot of electric, hydrogen car, cars cannot go faster than 50 to, hydrogen car, 60 afar per hour, while hybrids can, abnormally if both the electric and agitation engines are acclimatized to ability up the car. With this amount of economized ammunition consumption, the amalgam Volkswagen Jetta offers accumulation on gasoline dollars.
Source: articledashboard.com
Car owners are accepted for cast loyalty, that if the advocate abstraction abaft amalgam cars started to hug account in the automotive industry, not abounding car owners were all too accommodating to about-face to the new technology. In animosity of the, hydrogen car, accustomed upsides of these two-engine cars at this time of ambagious ammunition prices, consumers are, hydrogen car, just not accessible to hightail off their long-trusted agent cars. Not until their adopted automaker, hydrogen car, rolls out its adaptation of covering amalgam cars.
HEV, as this crop of dual-powered cars are known, appearance abstracted agitation and electric engines. In principle, HEV engines acquiesce the car to run alternately on either of the two accessible engines, consistent to economized, hydrogen car, ammunition consumption. The appearance of electric engines in HEVs has abundantly bargain baneful bankrupt emission. The disciplinarian can aswell opt to run the amalgam car on both the agitation and electric engines and get himself added engine ability and faster dispatch than either of the two abstracted engines can bear alone.
After years on the pipeline,, hydrogen car, German car architect Volkswagen was appear to be accessible to bazaar the company's aboriginal amalgam car, the Volkswagen Jetta. Volkswagen admiral are mum on the specs of the amalgam Jetta's engine, but industry watchers are searching at a hydrogen-powered engine as the ideal accompaniment for the souped-up Jetta engine. It was aswell appear that the next bearing Golf will appear out of the Volkswagen bulb armed with a amalgam engine and added new advanced Volkswagen parts. Aimed at accepting an ability amount of about 20%, the German automaker is eyeing an onboard hydrogen reactor for its amalgam vehicles.
Touted as Volkswagen's, hydrogen car, 21st aeon "Pocket Rocket," the Jetta is getting positioned to book bigger than the Volkswagen GTi. It is a accomplishment abounding considers to be alone ambitious thinking, abnormally in appearance of the GTi's already able specs consisting of a turbocharged 2.0 liter engine pumping out 200 application and 207 lb/ft of torque at a actual low 1,800 rpm, additional it gets six advanced apparatus instead of the accepted five. But, of course, the amalgam technology is on the Jetta's side.
Like a lot of amalgam cars, the Volkswagen Jetta promises an economical use of, hydrogen car, fuel. It boasts of a adequacy to ability up its engines on up to 60, hydrogen car, afar per gallon in city-limits, hydrogen car, driving, while a archetypal SUV ability biking 15-20, hydrogen car, afar per gallon. That's in fact three times beneath gas for the aforementioned distance. Also, its two-engine accomplish can abate billow by 90 percent, and uses far beneath gasoline than accepted cars.
With bargain bankrupt emission, the power-mulcting backpressure accretion can be minimized. This will aftereffect in beneath ache on the vehicle's bankrupt system, acceptation a apace achievement out of the vehicle. The abeyance system, moreover, is that of the aboriginal Volkswagen Jetta, so apprehend the aforementioned above car handling.
Pushing the envelope of electric car technology, the Volkswagen Jetta sports amalgam car batteries that can recharge, hydrogen car, as you drive, so there is no charge to bung in every 50 to 100 afar as a lot of electric cars necessitate. Also, a lot of electric, hydrogen car, cars cannot go faster than 50 to, hydrogen car, 60 afar per hour, while hybrids can, abnormally if both the electric and agitation engines are acclimatized to ability up the car. With this amount of economized ammunition consumption, the amalgam Volkswagen Jetta offers accumulation on gasoline dollars.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Vw Introduces Powertrain Roadmap For An Oil Free Epoch
Author: Joe Thompson
Source: articledashboard.com
Volkswagen, world's fourth largest car manufacturer after GM, Toyota and Ford has earlier published its powertrain roadmap which is intended to create a petroleum-free future.
Fossil fuels need to be used as sparingly as possible. Hence, in an effort to clean air and regulate the use of fossil fuels, VW releases a roadmap that advances auto parts Volkswagen. Automaker's direct injection systems (TSI), turbo-diesels, hydrogen car, (TDI), and dual clutch gearboxes (DSG) are some of the auto parts technologies that VW is concentrating on. These modern internal combustion technologies will be mated to electric motors in new hybrid powertrains.
The diesels, hydrogen car, are also, hydrogen car, being enhanced with the BlueTec emissions control technology from Mercedes. Subsequently, the automaker will, hydrogen car, be replacing fossil fuels with, hydrogen car, biofuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. This is done to neutralize fuels carbon and avoid generating carbon dioxide from the combustion.
In addition, VW's long term goal is work on high-temperature fuel-cells (HTFC). This is because the automaker believes that the low-temperature being used these days have no bright future in the, hydrogen car, , hydrogen car, auto industry so it is aiming for something different yet better. According to Prof. Dr. J�rgen Leohold, director of Volkswagen Corporate Research, "The high-temperature fuel cell will make the total system in the car lighter, more compact, durable and economical." They expect to start testing their new fuel cell design in vehicles in 2009, but don't foresee production before 2020.
The roadmap to an epoch free of oil is a strategy of VW that integrates highly innovative technologies to most excellent types of powertrains these days like the TDI, TSI and DSG. Clean TDI engines are special component of BLUETEC. These innovative technologies from the automaker can be had through pure electrical traction.
Clean TDI engines are set to comply with the strictest emissions laws around the globe. CCS is designed, hydrogen car, to serve as a key technology for a society which is free from petroleum. On the one hand, HTFC could serve as a breakthrough for hydrogen-powered vehicles. The prototypes of HTFC will be open for trials in 2009. In addition, the first production versions are expected to arrive before 2020.
VW will continue, hydrogen car, with its study about creating more powerful powertrains that won't make environment suffer. The mentioned viable engine types will soon invade the roads.
Source: articledashboard.com
Volkswagen, world's fourth largest car manufacturer after GM, Toyota and Ford has earlier published its powertrain roadmap which is intended to create a petroleum-free future.
Fossil fuels need to be used as sparingly as possible. Hence, in an effort to clean air and regulate the use of fossil fuels, VW releases a roadmap that advances auto parts Volkswagen. Automaker's direct injection systems (TSI), turbo-diesels, hydrogen car, (TDI), and dual clutch gearboxes (DSG) are some of the auto parts technologies that VW is concentrating on. These modern internal combustion technologies will be mated to electric motors in new hybrid powertrains.
The diesels, hydrogen car, are also, hydrogen car, being enhanced with the BlueTec emissions control technology from Mercedes. Subsequently, the automaker will, hydrogen car, be replacing fossil fuels with, hydrogen car, biofuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. This is done to neutralize fuels carbon and avoid generating carbon dioxide from the combustion.
In addition, VW's long term goal is work on high-temperature fuel-cells (HTFC). This is because the automaker believes that the low-temperature being used these days have no bright future in the, hydrogen car, , hydrogen car, auto industry so it is aiming for something different yet better. According to Prof. Dr. J�rgen Leohold, director of Volkswagen Corporate Research, "The high-temperature fuel cell will make the total system in the car lighter, more compact, durable and economical." They expect to start testing their new fuel cell design in vehicles in 2009, but don't foresee production before 2020.
The roadmap to an epoch free of oil is a strategy of VW that integrates highly innovative technologies to most excellent types of powertrains these days like the TDI, TSI and DSG. Clean TDI engines are special component of BLUETEC. These innovative technologies from the automaker can be had through pure electrical traction.
Clean TDI engines are set to comply with the strictest emissions laws around the globe. CCS is designed, hydrogen car, to serve as a key technology for a society which is free from petroleum. On the one hand, HTFC could serve as a breakthrough for hydrogen-powered vehicles. The prototypes of HTFC will be open for trials in 2009. In addition, the first production versions are expected to arrive before 2020.
VW will continue, hydrogen car, with its study about creating more powerful powertrains that won't make environment suffer. The mentioned viable engine types will soon invade the roads.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Automakers Let You Push That Green Button
Author: Glady Reign
Source: articledashboard.com
Not all cars are environmentally equal. Tailpipe emissions and fuel economy vary not just between different vehicles but with same type as well. Moreover, the choice of vehicle is a significant factor in making, hydrogen car, the air clean and fresh, hydrogen car, . With the aim of promoting clean air, automakers are now adept in making customers push their green button in favor of eco-friendly cars.
There is a wide variety of options surrounding the purchase of green vehicles. As a fact, there are advanced vehicle offers that produce the paramount environmental beneficial benefits. Automakers have conducted series of studies and testing regarding, hydrogen car, the manufacture of green vehicles. Nowadays,, hydrogen car, there are already a great number of cars and trucks which are powered by alternative fuels. These alternative fuels are said to etch an important milestone to a clean environment.
In order for a particular vehicle to be clean, it must substantially minimize 2 types of pollutants: the smog-forming pollutants and the heat-trapping gases. The first type includes nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons which are responsible for some respiratory ailments of millions of Americans. The second type of pollutants, on the other hand, includes carbon dioxide (CO2). The latter is the primary pollutant that produces global warming.
Today, auto market is overwhelmed by advanced, hydrogen car, green auto options like fuel cell vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles and greener conventional vehicles.
Fuel cell vehicles are powered through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. These vehicles can use various fuel sources without compromising its performance. Fuel cell reduces the environmental impacts of the vehicles. This is because pure hydrogen eliminates all smog-forming pollutants. Fuel cell vehicles are expensive. In fact, automakers have invested a great sum to come up with this technology.
In connection with hybrid electric vehicles, their designs vary widely. However, all of them are improved by the conventional petrol fuel. The difference is that through an electric motor, hybrids produce the cleanest technologies. Petrol and electric sources allow the vehicles to reach greater performance range than other vehicles powered by petrol alone. According to some enthusiasts these vehicles are quiet, responsive and fun. They are priced at around $20,000. Two of the most remarkable hybrids today are, hydrogen car, Toyota Prius and Honda Civic.
Battery electric vehicles, powered by renewable power battery electrics, have no tailpipe. They are up to 99 per cent cleaner than other gasoline-powered vehicles, hydrogen car, and they are actually zero-polluting. The first generation of these vehicles had, hydrogen car, a driving range of 50 to 80 miles per charge. Nowadays, with the advances in technology, the limitations are slowly deteriorating. With newer batteries, the driving range is jumping to over 100 miles per charge. Battery electrics are agile, quiet and smooth. These vehicles have a higher sticker, hydrogen car, price than other gasoline-powered vehicles. The price is expected to drop when these vehicles are already mass produced.
Alternative fuel vehicles, hydrogen car, are powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), methanol (M85), ethanol (E85), and hydrogen fuels. They are recommended for vehicle fleets. However, it is also offered for passenger cars. There are also greener conventional vehicles on the road these days. These vehicles are based on most-recent technologies.
Volvo, one of, hydrogen car, the automakers that are absorbed in producing green cars, earlier introduced its FlexiFuel cars. They include the Volvo C30, S40 and the V50. "A renewable fuel will not on its own be able to replace today's fossil fuels, and the range, hydrogen car, of alternative fuels will probably be far wider in the future. Many different, hydrogen car, fuels and technologies will therefore be developed in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on fossil fuels and Volvo's FlexiFuel programme thus makes a vital contribution to our strategy of environmental sustainability," noted Gerry Keaney, Senior, hydrogen car, Vice President Market of Volvo Cars' Sales and Customer Service.
The automaker is also concentrating on the manufacture of advanced Volvo fuel pump, engine, filters and other auto parts to complement the green nature of its vehicles.
Source: articledashboard.com
Not all cars are environmentally equal. Tailpipe emissions and fuel economy vary not just between different vehicles but with same type as well. Moreover, the choice of vehicle is a significant factor in making, hydrogen car, the air clean and fresh, hydrogen car, . With the aim of promoting clean air, automakers are now adept in making customers push their green button in favor of eco-friendly cars.
There is a wide variety of options surrounding the purchase of green vehicles. As a fact, there are advanced vehicle offers that produce the paramount environmental beneficial benefits. Automakers have conducted series of studies and testing regarding, hydrogen car, the manufacture of green vehicles. Nowadays,, hydrogen car, there are already a great number of cars and trucks which are powered by alternative fuels. These alternative fuels are said to etch an important milestone to a clean environment.
In order for a particular vehicle to be clean, it must substantially minimize 2 types of pollutants: the smog-forming pollutants and the heat-trapping gases. The first type includes nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons which are responsible for some respiratory ailments of millions of Americans. The second type of pollutants, on the other hand, includes carbon dioxide (CO2). The latter is the primary pollutant that produces global warming.
Today, auto market is overwhelmed by advanced, hydrogen car, green auto options like fuel cell vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles and greener conventional vehicles.
Fuel cell vehicles are powered through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. These vehicles can use various fuel sources without compromising its performance. Fuel cell reduces the environmental impacts of the vehicles. This is because pure hydrogen eliminates all smog-forming pollutants. Fuel cell vehicles are expensive. In fact, automakers have invested a great sum to come up with this technology.
In connection with hybrid electric vehicles, their designs vary widely. However, all of them are improved by the conventional petrol fuel. The difference is that through an electric motor, hybrids produce the cleanest technologies. Petrol and electric sources allow the vehicles to reach greater performance range than other vehicles powered by petrol alone. According to some enthusiasts these vehicles are quiet, responsive and fun. They are priced at around $20,000. Two of the most remarkable hybrids today are, hydrogen car, Toyota Prius and Honda Civic.
Battery electric vehicles, powered by renewable power battery electrics, have no tailpipe. They are up to 99 per cent cleaner than other gasoline-powered vehicles, hydrogen car, and they are actually zero-polluting. The first generation of these vehicles had, hydrogen car, a driving range of 50 to 80 miles per charge. Nowadays, with the advances in technology, the limitations are slowly deteriorating. With newer batteries, the driving range is jumping to over 100 miles per charge. Battery electrics are agile, quiet and smooth. These vehicles have a higher sticker, hydrogen car, price than other gasoline-powered vehicles. The price is expected to drop when these vehicles are already mass produced.
Alternative fuel vehicles, hydrogen car, are powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), methanol (M85), ethanol (E85), and hydrogen fuels. They are recommended for vehicle fleets. However, it is also offered for passenger cars. There are also greener conventional vehicles on the road these days. These vehicles are based on most-recent technologies.
Volvo, one of, hydrogen car, the automakers that are absorbed in producing green cars, earlier introduced its FlexiFuel cars. They include the Volvo C30, S40 and the V50. "A renewable fuel will not on its own be able to replace today's fossil fuels, and the range, hydrogen car, of alternative fuels will probably be far wider in the future. Many different, hydrogen car, fuels and technologies will therefore be developed in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on fossil fuels and Volvo's FlexiFuel programme thus makes a vital contribution to our strategy of environmental sustainability," noted Gerry Keaney, Senior, hydrogen car, Vice President Market of Volvo Cars' Sales and Customer Service.
The automaker is also concentrating on the manufacture of advanced Volvo fuel pump, engine, filters and other auto parts to complement the green nature of its vehicles.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Fomoco Of Australia Extends Support To Hydrogen Research
Author: Lauren Woods
Source: articledashboard.com
The auto industry has seen the increase in the demand for eco-friendly vehicles as the global community becomes more aware of the threats of global warming. To address the demand, car manufacturers have been investing in the development of eco-friendly vehicles.
One of the more promising technologies is the use of hydrogen as, hydrogen car, fuel. Hydrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere and when burned, this alternative fuel produces no greenhouse gases. That is why car manufacturers like the Ford Motor Company have been making partnerships to do research on the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Recently, FoMoCo of Australia partnered with the, hydrogen car, University of Melbourne to delve in further into the hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The university also recently received a $1.2 million grant form the Victorian State Government. With that grant and with Ford supplying engines to the university, the practical use of hydrogen as vehicle fuel will be studied even better. Ford Australia President Tom Gorman said that "Ford Australia is proud to extend our relationship with the University of Melbourne through this important project." The study will not only focus on the practical use of hydrogen as fuel for vehicles, hydrogen car, but also on the production of hydrogen, hydrogen car, .
While hydrogen is abundant, it combines with other elements. So, therefore, for it to be, hydrogen car, used as fuel, it has to be extracted first. Another problem in the use of hydrogen as fuel is the construction of fuel cells. As of today, fuel cells are fragile and can only withstand low vibrations which means that the current technology is impractical for off-road vehicles since the bumps encountered during, hydrogen car, off-road driving can severely damage the whole, hydrogen car, fuel cell assembly.
The participation of Ford on the hydrogen research is not surprising, hydrogen car, since the company is one of the leading car manufacturers which have already been investing on alternative fuel development. Gorman has this to say about Ford's dedication to the development of alternative fuel vehicles: "Globally, Ford Motor Company is a leader in the development of alternative fuel vehicles and technologies. The Escape Hybrid, our range of E85-capable flexi-fuel vehicles, and the recent showcasing of the world's first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability are all examples, hydrogen car, of our broader global efforts."
Gorman added that: "The University of Melbourne project is the first to research hydrogen engine alternatives using an Australian sourced engine, and will be an important complement to these initiatives." The University of Melbourne will be aiming to produce a hydrogen fueled six-cylinder engine from Ford. The technology being developed, hydrogen car, at the university is called the Hydrogen Assisted Jet Ignition or HAJI for short. This technology when used in a car can provide a performance similar to that of a car equipped with a Neuspeed cold air intake system.
Source: articledashboard.com
The auto industry has seen the increase in the demand for eco-friendly vehicles as the global community becomes more aware of the threats of global warming. To address the demand, car manufacturers have been investing in the development of eco-friendly vehicles.
One of the more promising technologies is the use of hydrogen as, hydrogen car, fuel. Hydrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere and when burned, this alternative fuel produces no greenhouse gases. That is why car manufacturers like the Ford Motor Company have been making partnerships to do research on the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Recently, FoMoCo of Australia partnered with the, hydrogen car, University of Melbourne to delve in further into the hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The university also recently received a $1.2 million grant form the Victorian State Government. With that grant and with Ford supplying engines to the university, the practical use of hydrogen as vehicle fuel will be studied even better. Ford Australia President Tom Gorman said that "Ford Australia is proud to extend our relationship with the University of Melbourne through this important project." The study will not only focus on the practical use of hydrogen as fuel for vehicles, hydrogen car, but also on the production of hydrogen, hydrogen car, .
While hydrogen is abundant, it combines with other elements. So, therefore, for it to be, hydrogen car, used as fuel, it has to be extracted first. Another problem in the use of hydrogen as fuel is the construction of fuel cells. As of today, fuel cells are fragile and can only withstand low vibrations which means that the current technology is impractical for off-road vehicles since the bumps encountered during, hydrogen car, off-road driving can severely damage the whole, hydrogen car, fuel cell assembly.
The participation of Ford on the hydrogen research is not surprising, hydrogen car, since the company is one of the leading car manufacturers which have already been investing on alternative fuel development. Gorman has this to say about Ford's dedication to the development of alternative fuel vehicles: "Globally, Ford Motor Company is a leader in the development of alternative fuel vehicles and technologies. The Escape Hybrid, our range of E85-capable flexi-fuel vehicles, and the recent showcasing of the world's first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability are all examples, hydrogen car, of our broader global efforts."
Gorman added that: "The University of Melbourne project is the first to research hydrogen engine alternatives using an Australian sourced engine, and will be an important complement to these initiatives." The University of Melbourne will be aiming to produce a hydrogen fueled six-cylinder engine from Ford. The technology being developed, hydrogen car, at the university is called the Hydrogen Assisted Jet Ignition or HAJI for short. This technology when used in a car can provide a performance similar to that of a car equipped with a Neuspeed cold air intake system.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
42 Volt Electrical Systems Conserve Fuel; Will They Need Maintenance?
Author: Lance Winslow
Source: articleage.com
Where are all those hybrid cars, which were going to change the industry, hydrogen car, forever? So you ask where are all those hybrid cars? You have no doubt seen the Toyota Pirius and all the media hoopla about Car of The Year and you probably said well great but it looks like a dog. Well in 2002 you are right the total sum of all hybrids sold in the US was less than 30,000. In 2003 Toyota sold less than 100,000 total hybrids, hydrogen car, . But we are in luck because the hybrids had DC motors in them too and need 0W-30 to lubricate and keep cool. Meaning the Oil Change Industry is safe still.
You have heard it said heat is the enemy, well in a DC Motor heat is very much the enemy and they usually are, hydrogen car, requiring a top brand synthetic like Mobil One. Amsoil is also hot on the scene with their formulas. Today you will not see a lot of fuel cells on the road they cost 6-10 times as much and, hydrogen car, there are few if any places to fill them up. Next year GM is introducing them to DC where there will be a fill up station and free cars for politicians, hydrogen car, to try them out. But still even McCormick from GM admits as he did in Phoenix speech this past week to his former University, hydrogen car, spectators,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, we are looking at 2010 for GM to really ramp up and there are things to service on fuel cells, which we have discussed, hydrogen car, on, hydrogen car, this board previously. In 2002 all brands, hydrogen car, together, hydrogen car, did not equal 30,000 in 2003 Toyota alone almost got to 100,000. As far as Domestic Hybrids, well there is the Voyager and Ford Ranger all electric but mostly for show and a few government agencies on matching fund grants and tons of CNG vehicles and conversion kits out there. We recently discussed taxi-cabs, city buses and military vehicles on this web site.
In 2004 it was an incredible year for the Hybrid Car, they could not keep them on the shelves and owners usually got a $5,000 appreciation almost immediately, even on eBay the bidding was above sticker price. Domestic Auto Manufacturers offer hybrid options on the GM Silverado Pick-up and Sierra Pick-up. Ford and their little SUV mini-Escape car. GM is offering as an option in 2006 possibly but surely by 2007 options on the Malibu, Yukon, Tahoe. Currently in 2004-2005 you will be able to get a Saturn Vue or Chevy Equinox in hybrid. Honda has several units out, but they are tough, hydrogen car, to get. Other off brands have not been very successful. All those cool Electric Cars did not pan out very well due to prototype status, cost to maintain and high electric bills, but many have been out now some 15 years. Electric Cars have been around for ever, Fuel Cell is not that new of a concept thought of some 100 years ago. We are seeing many cars now with electric power steering which add .05-2% efficiency in gas mileage in cars like the Honda S2000 and Saturn Vue and we will be seeing those 42 volt accessory cars soon which claim to add as many as 5-6 mpg. Which is very significant indeed. We, hydrogen car, shall see, but all in all it looks as if the industry of Quick Lube will be changing, just a lot slower than those, hydrogen car, "Futurists" would have you believe. It surely is past the point of science fiction, since the technology exists and the cars are available for those with big bucks and clout to find them or are ultra environmentalists, but generally they would not be popping into a quick lube service, hydrogen car, company anyway, chances are they would be higher end customers and send the nanny to the dealership for service or have a mobile service come to them on their time.
We do predict radical changes in the industry, but every one is good to go as is for about 5-7 years. Wal-Mart buyers have met with GM to see, hydrogen car, what the needs will be in the future and are considering once the new cars catch on, building Hydrogen fuel stations along with Shell who figures the conversions of the gas stations to be at about $400,000 per each. We like to keep everyone posted on the latest and greatest findings. Hang tough this future thing is going to be, hydrogen car, a heck of a fun ride. There is tons of opportunity in change and chaos. There will be opportunities for this industry in these changes to meet demand as the demand and desire becomes more self-evident in a half a decade or so. Think about the effect on the automotive repair business?
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Source: articleage.com
Where are all those hybrid cars, which were going to change the industry, hydrogen car, forever? So you ask where are all those hybrid cars? You have no doubt seen the Toyota Pirius and all the media hoopla about Car of The Year and you probably said well great but it looks like a dog. Well in 2002 you are right the total sum of all hybrids sold in the US was less than 30,000. In 2003 Toyota sold less than 100,000 total hybrids, hydrogen car, . But we are in luck because the hybrids had DC motors in them too and need 0W-30 to lubricate and keep cool. Meaning the Oil Change Industry is safe still.
You have heard it said heat is the enemy, well in a DC Motor heat is very much the enemy and they usually are, hydrogen car, requiring a top brand synthetic like Mobil One. Amsoil is also hot on the scene with their formulas. Today you will not see a lot of fuel cells on the road they cost 6-10 times as much and, hydrogen car, there are few if any places to fill them up. Next year GM is introducing them to DC where there will be a fill up station and free cars for politicians, hydrogen car, to try them out. But still even McCormick from GM admits as he did in Phoenix speech this past week to his former University, hydrogen car, spectators,, hydrogen car, hydrogen car, we are looking at 2010 for GM to really ramp up and there are things to service on fuel cells, which we have discussed, hydrogen car, on, hydrogen car, this board previously. In 2002 all brands, hydrogen car, together, hydrogen car, did not equal 30,000 in 2003 Toyota alone almost got to 100,000. As far as Domestic Hybrids, well there is the Voyager and Ford Ranger all electric but mostly for show and a few government agencies on matching fund grants and tons of CNG vehicles and conversion kits out there. We recently discussed taxi-cabs, city buses and military vehicles on this web site.
In 2004 it was an incredible year for the Hybrid Car, they could not keep them on the shelves and owners usually got a $5,000 appreciation almost immediately, even on eBay the bidding was above sticker price. Domestic Auto Manufacturers offer hybrid options on the GM Silverado Pick-up and Sierra Pick-up. Ford and their little SUV mini-Escape car. GM is offering as an option in 2006 possibly but surely by 2007 options on the Malibu, Yukon, Tahoe. Currently in 2004-2005 you will be able to get a Saturn Vue or Chevy Equinox in hybrid. Honda has several units out, but they are tough, hydrogen car, to get. Other off brands have not been very successful. All those cool Electric Cars did not pan out very well due to prototype status, cost to maintain and high electric bills, but many have been out now some 15 years. Electric Cars have been around for ever, Fuel Cell is not that new of a concept thought of some 100 years ago. We are seeing many cars now with electric power steering which add .05-2% efficiency in gas mileage in cars like the Honda S2000 and Saturn Vue and we will be seeing those 42 volt accessory cars soon which claim to add as many as 5-6 mpg. Which is very significant indeed. We, hydrogen car, shall see, but all in all it looks as if the industry of Quick Lube will be changing, just a lot slower than those, hydrogen car, "Futurists" would have you believe. It surely is past the point of science fiction, since the technology exists and the cars are available for those with big bucks and clout to find them or are ultra environmentalists, but generally they would not be popping into a quick lube service, hydrogen car, company anyway, chances are they would be higher end customers and send the nanny to the dealership for service or have a mobile service come to them on their time.
We do predict radical changes in the industry, but every one is good to go as is for about 5-7 years. Wal-Mart buyers have met with GM to see, hydrogen car, what the needs will be in the future and are considering once the new cars catch on, building Hydrogen fuel stations along with Shell who figures the conversions of the gas stations to be at about $400,000 per each. We like to keep everyone posted on the latest and greatest findings. Hang tough this future thing is going to be, hydrogen car, a heck of a fun ride. There is tons of opportunity in change and chaos. There will be opportunities for this industry in these changes to meet demand as the demand and desire becomes more self-evident in a half a decade or so. Think about the effect on the automotive repair business?
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Nissan, First To Venture In Fuel-cell Limo
Author: Katie Jones
Source: articledashboard.com
Nissan Motor, hydrogen car, Co., Ltd., earlier delivered the X-TRAIL FCV, the very first fuel cell, hydrogen car, limo, to Kanagawa, hydrogen car, Toshi Kotsu Ltd. The limo will be used as part of their chauffer-driven hired-car fleet of Kanagawa.
Nissan is the first automaker to venture in the fuel cell limo area. This is also the first instance that a fuel-cell vehicle has been made available for hired-car services. Nissan's aim, hydrogen car, is to provide consumers the opportunity to experience the edge of fuel-cell technology that includes performance and economic-friendly benefits.
The Nissan X-TRAIL FCV uses the original Nissan fuel-cell stack and compact li-ion batteries that are capable of generating similar level of auto performance as its gasoline-powered counterpart. Nissan original fuel-cell stack produced improved power output of up to 90 kilowatts with maximum speed and acceleration on a par with the gasoline engine.
The Nissan X-Trail FCV is based, hydrogen car, from the compact crossover SUV. The vehicle is equipped with quality auto parts that include Nissan axle assembly, brakes, radiator, suspensions and other accessories. But the most interesting about the limo is its fuel cell, hydrogen car, technology.
Fuel-cell technology boasts its environment friendliness features. It is a factor why the technology is getting so attractive especially among automakers. Through the said technology, producing energy from hydrogen would generate virtually zero emissions just thin vapor. In this respect, no moving parts will degrade and, hydrogen car, eventually end up in landfills. Aside from this, there will also be no noise and noxious emissions from combustion oriented power generators. What is yielded is no less than optimum fuel economy through cogeneration of heat and power.
Oxygen and hydrogen, two of the renewable elements used in fuel-cell technology, are naturally abundant even in the air. This is why there is no need for the automakers to fret about the availability of the sources. Fuel -cell technology lies in, hydrogen car, the chemical fusion reaction between oxygen and hydrogen fuel. The chemical fusion produces electric energy and water as its by-product.
Under the Nissan Green Program 2010, the automaker will offer advanced technology and products to help make real-world, hydrogen car, reductions in CO2 emissions. The program includes further practical use of fuel-cell vehicles. Since April 2006, the automaker has enabled consumers to experience the performance and benefits of fuel-cell vehicles by making them available for test-drives at the Nissan Gallery at its head-office in Ginza, Tokyo.
Source: articledashboard.com
Nissan Motor, hydrogen car, Co., Ltd., earlier delivered the X-TRAIL FCV, the very first fuel cell, hydrogen car, limo, to Kanagawa, hydrogen car, Toshi Kotsu Ltd. The limo will be used as part of their chauffer-driven hired-car fleet of Kanagawa.
Nissan is the first automaker to venture in the fuel cell limo area. This is also the first instance that a fuel-cell vehicle has been made available for hired-car services. Nissan's aim, hydrogen car, is to provide consumers the opportunity to experience the edge of fuel-cell technology that includes performance and economic-friendly benefits.
The Nissan X-TRAIL FCV uses the original Nissan fuel-cell stack and compact li-ion batteries that are capable of generating similar level of auto performance as its gasoline-powered counterpart. Nissan original fuel-cell stack produced improved power output of up to 90 kilowatts with maximum speed and acceleration on a par with the gasoline engine.
The Nissan X-Trail FCV is based, hydrogen car, from the compact crossover SUV. The vehicle is equipped with quality auto parts that include Nissan axle assembly, brakes, radiator, suspensions and other accessories. But the most interesting about the limo is its fuel cell, hydrogen car, technology.
Fuel-cell technology boasts its environment friendliness features. It is a factor why the technology is getting so attractive especially among automakers. Through the said technology, producing energy from hydrogen would generate virtually zero emissions just thin vapor. In this respect, no moving parts will degrade and, hydrogen car, eventually end up in landfills. Aside from this, there will also be no noise and noxious emissions from combustion oriented power generators. What is yielded is no less than optimum fuel economy through cogeneration of heat and power.
Oxygen and hydrogen, two of the renewable elements used in fuel-cell technology, are naturally abundant even in the air. This is why there is no need for the automakers to fret about the availability of the sources. Fuel -cell technology lies in, hydrogen car, the chemical fusion reaction between oxygen and hydrogen fuel. The chemical fusion produces electric energy and water as its by-product.
Under the Nissan Green Program 2010, the automaker will offer advanced technology and products to help make real-world, hydrogen car, reductions in CO2 emissions. The program includes further practical use of fuel-cell vehicles. Since April 2006, the automaker has enabled consumers to experience the performance and benefits of fuel-cell vehicles by making them available for test-drives at the Nissan Gallery at its head-office in Ginza, Tokyo.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Secrets to Ford Motor Company Lay Offs
Author: Lance Winslow
Source: articleage.com
Ford is laying off some 30,000 people in the next five years and this will cause quite a problematic situation for many regions in the United States where factories will be closed and once high paying jobs provided for a vibrant economy. If you, hydrogen car, are wondering why this is occurring it has to do with increases in market share of the Japanese AutoMakers, over productive robotic factories and a series of poor choices by Ford. How so you ask?
Well here is an interesting, hydrogen car, article from 2002: Electric cars hits the skid at Ford.
http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=401/
You see, it appears instead of the hydrogen cell technology, Ford choose to stay with its former strategy, which has not completely run its course. Instead of innovating and moving forward it choose to stay with their top selling gasoline models which use more fuel than the competing models.
Are the US, hydrogen car, Automakers going to repeat the Deming Years? When the Honda Car stole the show and caused havoc with Detroit? Are we going to be running more Hybrid electric cars in he future? Using more ethanol? What does all this mean?
Having studied the pros and cons of electric vehicles over other new technologies it is interesting to see, hydrogen car, the technologies used in the various hybrid models. In North and South Dakota, Nebraska and CA, they want ethanol. Even, hydrogen car, giving away a free piece of pecan pie if you fill up in ND. Then there is the problem of the pollution in the plants making the ethanol, which might merely re-divert some pollution.
Then there are fights over that and where all the old batteries will go filled with H2SO4 will go after electric cars hit the junkyard. Still, hydrogen car, others think, hydrogen car, that Hydrogen cars could blow up like Hiroshima, not likely? There are many new studies and thoughts on the on this matter and there are the pure-ists who say electric is the only answer and in looking at the technology it is pretty cool stuff indeed. What is the government saying?
http://www.ott.doe.gov/hev/
So many things have been changing in the automotive world these days. But one thing is certain. Ford Motor Company is paying now for their failure to anticipate the market and spend money to move to position them selves to, hydrogen car, take advantages of these changes, hydrogen car, . Think on this in 2006.
Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Source: articleage.com
Ford is laying off some 30,000 people in the next five years and this will cause quite a problematic situation for many regions in the United States where factories will be closed and once high paying jobs provided for a vibrant economy. If you, hydrogen car, are wondering why this is occurring it has to do with increases in market share of the Japanese AutoMakers, over productive robotic factories and a series of poor choices by Ford. How so you ask?
Well here is an interesting, hydrogen car, article from 2002: Electric cars hits the skid at Ford.
http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=401/
You see, it appears instead of the hydrogen cell technology, Ford choose to stay with its former strategy, which has not completely run its course. Instead of innovating and moving forward it choose to stay with their top selling gasoline models which use more fuel than the competing models.
Are the US, hydrogen car, Automakers going to repeat the Deming Years? When the Honda Car stole the show and caused havoc with Detroit? Are we going to be running more Hybrid electric cars in he future? Using more ethanol? What does all this mean?
Having studied the pros and cons of electric vehicles over other new technologies it is interesting to see, hydrogen car, the technologies used in the various hybrid models. In North and South Dakota, Nebraska and CA, they want ethanol. Even, hydrogen car, giving away a free piece of pecan pie if you fill up in ND. Then there is the problem of the pollution in the plants making the ethanol, which might merely re-divert some pollution.
Then there are fights over that and where all the old batteries will go filled with H2SO4 will go after electric cars hit the junkyard. Still, hydrogen car, others think, hydrogen car, that Hydrogen cars could blow up like Hiroshima, not likely? There are many new studies and thoughts on the on this matter and there are the pure-ists who say electric is the only answer and in looking at the technology it is pretty cool stuff indeed. What is the government saying?
http://www.ott.doe.gov/hev/
So many things have been changing in the automotive world these days. But one thing is certain. Ford Motor Company is paying now for their failure to anticipate the market and spend money to move to position them selves to, hydrogen car, take advantages of these changes, hydrogen car, . Think on this in 2006.
Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Fuel Economy's Puzzling Tug Of War
Author: Lauren Woods
Source: articledashboard.com
Just after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official called on automakers and oil companies to cooperate in order to lessen emissions, hydrogen car, and bolster fuel economy, representatives from both worlds widely disagreed on the means to reach those goals. Moreover, the industry is now more baffled than before. Which, hydrogen car, side would triumph in the industry's current tug of war?
"The most effective way to lower carbon levels is to take a system approach… improvement can be made to both the fuel and the engine," said Margo Oge, the, hydrogen car, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. She spoke today at a panel discussion regarding the policies and issues surrounding future fuel choices at the SAE World Congress held at Cobo Center.
Considering the increases in vehicle traffic, to reduce carbon emissions to those seen in, hydrogen car, 1990, either the auto industry would have to more than double its average fleet gas mileage to 56 mpg or fuel companies would have to produce 15 times as much renewable fuel as they do today, Oge said. Additionally, Oge suggested that by working together, the industries could achieve the overall goal of pollution reduction, but also lower their industry targets to more realistic levels of fuel efficiency and renewable production.
But four representatives from the auto and fuel industries seemed worlds apart on whether to use ethanol, gasoline or hydrogen in the future vehicle repertoire. They are divided on how future fuels would be regulated and taxed. BMW AG's Christoph Huss shook his head while Samantha Slater of the Renewable Fuels Association said that the nation's, hydrogen car, ethanol producers would "blow away" government mandated production levels.
Huss, the BMW senior vice president for science and traffic policy, said the BMW still sees hydrogen, hydrogen car, as the long-term answer to the energy and pollution challenges of the automobile. He acknowledged that hydrogen appears to be losing ground to the biodiesel and ethanol in the minds of many Americas. He added hydrogen has the advantage of containing, hydrogen car, more energy than gasoline and that it can be created from a wide variety of energy sources which is known to be ranging from, hydrogen car, natural gas to solar power.
Critics in both industries point out that hydrogen is highly volatile and would require a complete replacement of the existing fueling infrastructure. Renewable fuels like ethanol are already dispensed through standard gas pumps.
The Shell Oil Vice President, hydrogen car, for Fuel Development Darran Messem said while he expects production of renewable fuels to grow, fossil fuels will still be the primary power for automobiles in 2030. Messem noted the infrastructure problems with hydrogen and the high cost of ethanol. Even considering near-record high, hydrogen car, oil prices, ethanol costs 70 cents more a gallon than gasoline, he said.
The fact is for environment-friendly fuels to be viable, they must be reasonably priced and they must be compatible to vital auto parts like the Weapon R cold air intake. "The challenge we face is that a vast majority of our customers choose fuel based on cost and convenience… even over concerns such as green house gases," Messem said.
Stronger government, hydrogen car, regulation, however, could help push oil companies and automakers to innovate, said Steve Plotkin, the transportation energy analyst at Argonne National Laboratory. In, hydrogen car, today's environment, he added, the automaker that opts to improve fuel economy at the expense of performance takes a big risk because competitors may invest in performance improving technology - and "Americans have chosen performance over efficiency for years."
Plotkin, hydrogen car, concluded, "Increased government mandated fuel efficiency standards would push all the car companies to come up with emissions-reducing and gas-conserving technologies."
Source: articledashboard.com
Just after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official called on automakers and oil companies to cooperate in order to lessen emissions, hydrogen car, and bolster fuel economy, representatives from both worlds widely disagreed on the means to reach those goals. Moreover, the industry is now more baffled than before. Which, hydrogen car, side would triumph in the industry's current tug of war?
"The most effective way to lower carbon levels is to take a system approach… improvement can be made to both the fuel and the engine," said Margo Oge, the, hydrogen car, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. She spoke today at a panel discussion regarding the policies and issues surrounding future fuel choices at the SAE World Congress held at Cobo Center.
Considering the increases in vehicle traffic, to reduce carbon emissions to those seen in, hydrogen car, 1990, either the auto industry would have to more than double its average fleet gas mileage to 56 mpg or fuel companies would have to produce 15 times as much renewable fuel as they do today, Oge said. Additionally, Oge suggested that by working together, the industries could achieve the overall goal of pollution reduction, but also lower their industry targets to more realistic levels of fuel efficiency and renewable production.
But four representatives from the auto and fuel industries seemed worlds apart on whether to use ethanol, gasoline or hydrogen in the future vehicle repertoire. They are divided on how future fuels would be regulated and taxed. BMW AG's Christoph Huss shook his head while Samantha Slater of the Renewable Fuels Association said that the nation's, hydrogen car, ethanol producers would "blow away" government mandated production levels.
Huss, the BMW senior vice president for science and traffic policy, said the BMW still sees hydrogen, hydrogen car, as the long-term answer to the energy and pollution challenges of the automobile. He acknowledged that hydrogen appears to be losing ground to the biodiesel and ethanol in the minds of many Americas. He added hydrogen has the advantage of containing, hydrogen car, more energy than gasoline and that it can be created from a wide variety of energy sources which is known to be ranging from, hydrogen car, natural gas to solar power.
Critics in both industries point out that hydrogen is highly volatile and would require a complete replacement of the existing fueling infrastructure. Renewable fuels like ethanol are already dispensed through standard gas pumps.
The Shell Oil Vice President, hydrogen car, for Fuel Development Darran Messem said while he expects production of renewable fuels to grow, fossil fuels will still be the primary power for automobiles in 2030. Messem noted the infrastructure problems with hydrogen and the high cost of ethanol. Even considering near-record high, hydrogen car, oil prices, ethanol costs 70 cents more a gallon than gasoline, he said.
The fact is for environment-friendly fuels to be viable, they must be reasonably priced and they must be compatible to vital auto parts like the Weapon R cold air intake. "The challenge we face is that a vast majority of our customers choose fuel based on cost and convenience… even over concerns such as green house gases," Messem said.
Stronger government, hydrogen car, regulation, however, could help push oil companies and automakers to innovate, said Steve Plotkin, the transportation energy analyst at Argonne National Laboratory. In, hydrogen car, today's environment, he added, the automaker that opts to improve fuel economy at the expense of performance takes a big risk because competitors may invest in performance improving technology - and "Americans have chosen performance over efficiency for years."
Plotkin, hydrogen car, concluded, "Increased government mandated fuel efficiency standards would push all the car companies to come up with emissions-reducing and gas-conserving technologies."
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