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| Get Reel
VIDEO NEWS THAT MOVES PEOPLE & IDEAS | From Fork Lifts to Fuel Cell Vehicles | | It's very clean and efficient to make hydrogen from natural gas and water, and hydrogen is now powering a rapidly expanding fleet of fork lifts and upcoming fuel cell vehicles. |
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June 17, 2010
Jon LeSage, Editor
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Natural gas could be a near-term alternative to gasoline as automakers race to develop electric vehicles, and presents the most cost-effective solution to reduce U.S. reliance on oil, Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said one week ago. Chrysler Group has been quiet about its alternative fuel vehicle, hybrid, and plug-in game plan for a long time, as its Detroit neighbors have been increasing their green product offerings consistently. Perhaps CNG versions of current models will be announced?
Fleet and commercial vehicle clientele are a perfect market to try stuff out. Later this year, Ford will begin selling 6.8-liter F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cabs that are conversion-ready for compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane (LPG). If your buying strategy is shaped by reducing foreign oil, smog, and increasing energy security, natural gas and propane are just right. We export a lot of this gas and would do very well increasing the domestic output.
Your thoughts? Email me at jon@automotivedigest.com.
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Green Conference Planning Guide |
Conference Themes, Agendas, & Events |
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Peak Oil Explored at Electric Vehicle Consumer Adoption Summit
Electric Vehicle Consumer Adoption Summit is happening very soon – June 21-23 in San Francisco. One of the keynote speakers will be Bill Moore, editor of EV World, speaking about a very relevant topic – "Projecting The Future Of Transportation: Peak Oil Energy And The Environment." The electrification of the automotive industry will see many challenges in its adoption; however, it is an immense stepping stone in the elimination of fossil fuels and the promotion of sustainable living. With the scarcity of liquid fuels, and the eventual elimination of such, consumers are increasingly interested in various energy alternatives from an investment point of view. This session will address: understanding the reality of the peak oil crisis and it’s immediate impact of economics of EV deployment and adoption; determining whether actual peak oil has been reached and/or when it can be anticipated; learning how to position your deployment of electric drive vehicles in light of peak oil timing. Read more about the event.
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What To See & Where To Go |
Conference Exhibitors, Presentations, & Places |
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EPRI's Mark Duvall on the Role of Utilities in Electric Vehicles
Electric Drive Transportation Association last week hosted "How Utilities Are Preparing for Electric Vehicles," featuring a panel that included Mark Duvall of Electric Power Research Institute. Duvall is one of the people organizing the upcoming Plug-in 2010 conference, and made several interesting comments about EV charging. Public charging stations are extremely expensive, and utilities are looking for municipalities, property owners, and companies to invest in its future. He addressed concerns over coal powering nearly 50% of electricity in the U.S., and how renewable energy is an increasing source for electrification. EPRI is also reporting on the significant carbon emissions reduction that plug-in vehicles create, and how the electricity grid will become less intensive over time.
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Charging Station Infrastructure a Hot Topic at Plug-in 2010
Electric utilities are dependent on outside partners to make the plug-in charging station possibility a widely accessible reality. Reducing range anxiety over charging electric vehicles will be a hot topic at the upcoming Plug-in 2010, happening July 26-29 in San Jose, Calif. Business Week just covered the topic and looked at what some of these technology suppliers are up to lately. Coulomb Technologies plans to install 4,600 chargers in nine U.S. metropolitan areas by the end of 2011 at a cost of $2,000-$5,000 each. Arizona-based ECOtality has won a $100 million federal grant and is working with Nissan to install more than 11,000 chargers in five U.S. states within three years. Nissan is also working with AeroVironment to put charging equipment in homes, and it hopes to build a network of public chargers as well.
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Better Place and ECOtatility Onboard with the Conference
Better Place is a leading sponsor at Plug-in 2010. The company is a leader in building the infrastructure and intelligent network to deliver a range of services to drivers, enable widespread adoption of electric vehicles, and optimize energy use. Better Place works with all parts of the transportation ecosystem to create a compelling solution.
ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies., is also sponsoring the event. Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., the company is Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels.
Click here to read more about the event.
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Green Resources & Sources |
Sites, People, & Greening Success |
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Clean Diesel Cars Find Growing Interest Among American Buyers Bosch North America analysis shows that when both diesel and gasoline engine options are offered, diesel-powered cars are the choice for a significant number of drivers in the U.S. Using new car registration data provided by R.L Polk & Co., Bosch determined that for the 12-month period beginning January 2009, about 30 percent of the registrations had clean diesel engines. For example, in the following vehicles – when given the choice between gasoline and clean diesel-powered engines – Bosch’s analysis of Polk data shows the average percentage of registrations for cars with clean diesel engines were: Audi A3 TDI – 20%; Audi Q7 TDI – 30%; BMW 335d – 8%; BMW X5 xDrive x35d – 17%; Mercedes-Benz GL 350 BlueTEC – 18%; Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC – 13%; Mercedes-Benz R 350 BlueTEC – 12%; VW Jetta TDI (Sedan and Sportwagen) – 49%; and Volkswagen Touareg TDI – 33%. Read more.
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Must-Attend Conferences
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Upcoming Conferences: The impact of peak oil will be explored at Electric Vehicle Consumer Adoption Summit, coming up June 21-23 in San Francisco. A recent panel that included Mark Duvall of Electric Power Research Institute was an interesting conference call to hear. Duvall is one of the people organizing the upcoming Plug-in 2010 conference. Focus of the Week: Automotive Digest's Jim Stickford attended Telematics Detroit and reports on how the technology is taking vehicle electronics and global satellites to an all new level. Stickford has been willing to conduct interviews with a hand-held camera to find out what's really happening in the world of Intelligent Vehicles. Fleets have been on the cutting edge of telematics making their way across industries and becoming more vital to automakers and technology suppliers. Green Videos in Get Reel: National Hydrogen Association's Patrick Serfass on how fuel cell vehicles are making their way through warehouses as fork lifts. Francis Vogel of Wisconsin Clean Cities on the important role Dept. of Energy's program plays in the state. Alternative fuel expert Josh Tickell on how the algae-Prius offers advanced alternative energy combinations and points to a time when plug-in hybrids can be powered by something other than petroleum. And More: Upcoming conferences, green resources and sources, green people profiles, press releases you should check out, and much more.
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Lessons Learned at 10th Annual Telematics Detroit Conference
Automotive Digest's man on the scene, Jim Stickford, attended the 10th annual Telematics Detroit Conference for Dealer Digest Daily and ADW Green. The videos will also be used in Dealer Management Weekly and Fleet Management Weekly, as the subject matter has much impact on retail and fleet vehicle applications. Telematics takes vehicle electronics and global satellite technology to an all new level, and it's still fairly new to the auto industry and has several implications for fleet management, fuel efficiency, safety, and emissions control. Telematics is a paradigm shift in the auto industry because it requires many different businesses – broadband providers, software developers, computer hardware companies – to work together with car manufacturers to provide an integrated product. Here's coverage of development to watch.
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Telematics Leaders Have Much to Say about the Technology's Future
Automotive Digest is fortunate to have a new team member with years of experience covering the auto industry – Jim Stickford. Jim attended the 10th annual Telematics Detroit Conference and gained first-hand experience conducting his own video interviews. He was able to find out what's next for the technology that is shaping the future of vehicle safety, fuel efficiency and emissions, entertainment, and communications. As one of the telematics leaders said, in the past six months to a year, there's been a buzz around the mobile integration into vehicles. Those interviewed include Martin Rosell, Managing Diretor, WirelessCar; James Sayer, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute; Dean VonBank, VP Americas' marketing, NAVTEQ; James Grace, automotive business development manager, Telenav; and, Jan Hellaker, VP business development and government programs, Volvo Technology North America.
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Fleets Making a Green Go with Telematics
It's no surprise the Telematics Detroit just had its 10th anniversary – it's still a fairly new trend in the auto industry. Not surprisingly, fleets have been on the cutting edge of telematics making their way across industries and becoming more vital to automakers and technology suppliers. Pieces of the pie have been falling into place for several years but it's all coming together under the banner of telematics. Fleet management companies have been very active in this field and have found ways to integrate the technology and mindset into their environment sustainability focus. It's a win-win for companies to take advantage of telematics technology and has both a dollar impact as well as the soft benefit of reducing CO2 emissions.
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Stats and Smart Charts
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2010 Sales Forecast By Performance Parts and Accessories Manufacturers
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 Significance of the Data: - Fast Lane Research surveyed more than 2,600 manufacturers of automotive performance parts and accessories in late May 2010
- Reveals some interesting insights
- 14% of manufacturers expect total industry sales to be up more than 10% for 2010
- Another 29% expect total industry sales to be up between 3% and 9% for year
- 71% of appearance product manufacturers expect industry sales to be up between 3% and 9% in 2010
- Source: Fast Lane Research - June 2010
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EPA's New Criteria Emissions Rules
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CALSTART webinar happening soon
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EPA announced in January 2010 that it will strengthen national ozone rules to meet federal health standards. To explain the new rules and their significant impact on transportation, CALSTART presents a highly informative webinar with Peter Greenwald, Senior Policy Advisor for the SCAQMD. "EPA’s New Criteria Emissions Rules – Industry and Fleet Impacts and Opportunities," takes place Wed., June 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST. Click here for more information.
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2nd Annual Electric Vehicle Asia
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Event capitalizes on emerging opportunity
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The 2nd Annual Electric Vehicle Asia brings together industry key players from government sectors, utilities, international vehicle manufactures, key component manufactures, and technology providers to capitalize on this emerging business opportunity. The meeting is structured for attendees to meet up with key electric vehicle developers to earn more about government development plans and emerging investment opportunities. It takes place Sept. 27-30 in Seoul, Korea. Learn more.
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Green People Going Places
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Deborah Moss
Avalence LLC
Chair and Founder
Avalence has played an important role in the usage of hydrogen expanding in the state of Connecticut and beyond. Moss initiated formation of Avalence and led the corporate spin-off in 2002 from its founding industrial gas equipment companies. She has led recruitment of management and technical staff and is focused on the strategic direction of Avalence as well as marketing and communication outreach efforts. In 1993, Moss joined the management team of her family's Milford-based manufacturing firms and she was responsible for initiating development efforts on the proprietary Hydrofiller technology. Moss led the corporate spin off of Avalence, LLC from its founding companies in order to further commercialization of the Hydrofiller product line. Moss co-founded E Magazine, an award-winning national consumer environmental magazine in 1988, and serves on its Board of Directors. She is a member of several professional associations, including the National Hydrogen Association, and serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research program. Moss won Connecticut Technology Council’s 2008 “Women of Innovation” award for entrepreneurial leadership.
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Lee Grannis
New Haven Clean Cities Coalition
Coordinator
Grannis started the New Haven Clean Cities coalition in 1995 and has served as the coalition's coordinator for the last 12 years. As part of his Clean Cities mission, Grannis has developed projects and obtained federal and matching funding for compressed natural gas, light duty electric vehicles, electric transit, hydrogen hybrid and biodiesel projects, and outreach project funding. He has provided alternative vehicle/fuel consultation and assistance to many organizations in Connecticut and outside the state, including several towns and cities, metropolitan transit authorities, utilities, community colleges, universities, laboratories, and airports. Grannis retired after 23 years as a lieutenant colonel infantry from the U.S. Army. He held several combat and logistical positions, which included two combat tours in Vietnam. He attended several military schools and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
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| Design & Development |
Smart Fortwo Car Clubs Meet in Kansas City, Anticipate Electric Version
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Daimler's tiny Smart Fortwo has been getting a lot of attention since entering the road in 2008. Car clubs just met in Kansas City to share experiences and check out the upcoming electric version, which is expected to sell for about $20,000, compared to the base price of nearly $12,000 for the gas-powered version.
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Consumers Study Electric Car Data to Alleviate Range Anxiety
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As several much-anticipated plug-in hybrid and pure electric cars make their way to market in the next couple of years, buyers will be studying available data to make their decisions. Concerns will include driving range between charges, charging time, and how driving conditions and style will affect the outcome.
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| The Color of Money (F&I) |
Auto Loans Easier To Get, Just Barely
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J.D. Power's Jeff Schuster says auto loan credit is still tight, could loosen up more toward year-end, but leasing is more available, consumers can get better trade-in values and upside-down car loans are decreasing, so the picture is more hopeful.
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F&I Managers Still Face Loan Obstacles
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Even though consumer finances have improved along with auto sales, experts say F&I managers may still have a tough time to get some customers qualified for a loan or lease. Thrifty consumers are making less money available for car loans, so a "slow growth" is expected in the market.
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| Fleet Factor & Regulations |
New International eStar Electric Step Van Coming to North America
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Navistar has modified the UK's Modec plug-in electric vehicle for use in North America as a class 2C-3 step van for urban use. As modified, the eStar will recharge on standard 220v power getting 100-mile range on 8-hours charge.
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Verizon Commits to Sustainable Fleet Including Hybrid Service Pickups
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Verizon has committed to acquiring sustainable fleet vehicles including 576 Chevrolet Silverado two-mode hybrid pickups. The trucks will have a custom, composite service bed insert to limit weight and further reduce fuel consumption.
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| Fuels & Energy |
Electric Car Battery Recycling Stream Growing in Importance
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Ten years from now, replacing and recycling car batteries will grow in importance as the number of electric cars on the road constantly expands. Lithium-ion batteries may have a seven-year lifecycle, and battery suppliers and electric utilities are now working together to establish a realistic recycling system.
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Panelists Debate Benefits of Natural Gas, Biofuels, Batteries
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Panelists at a recent Lazard Capital Markets' Alternative Energy Investor Summit in New York debated the strengths and weaknesses of alternative fuel vehicle energy sources, and whether natural gas, biofuel, or battery-powered was dominant. Everyone on the panel seemed to agree any alternative fuel will take a very long time to make a dent in the supremacy of crude oil-based gasoline.
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| Automotive Marketing |
High Profile Marketing Helps AutoTrader.com Surpass 1M Unique Visitors
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A milestone traffic day occurs for the online car shopping giant just one day before the company's 12th anniversary and in midst of launching their multi-media "Heart & Mind" brand campaign on May 3: one million unique visitors.
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Could Facebook Be the Face of Big Brother?
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Soon Facebook will know all of the likes of its 400 million members. Advertisers can't wait. New tools launched by the social networking site will allow users to register their likes and shorten the time it takes to find the content they want on the Internet.
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| Dealers & Aftermarket |
Geely Gleagle IG Concept Set to Challenge Tata Nano
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Chinese automaker Geely showed off the Gleagle IG subcompact concept at the recent Beijing auto show. The IG is designed to challenge the Tata Nano in the cheap microcar segment. Its expected price of $2,250 is lower than the Nano's current $2,700 to $3,800 tag.
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Survey Reveals Many Motorists Not Pumped Up
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A survey by the Rubber Manufacturers Association reveals only one in six vehicles on the road have four properly inflated tires. About 55% had at least one tire underinflated. The results emphasize the message from National Tire Safety Week (June 6-12).
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