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| Video News & Views
PEOPLE & IDEAS TO WATCH | Emerging Mobile Applications | | A trend is coming very fast helping OEMs create their own branded ecosystems with embedded telematics, mission critical system, and what consumers want and need. |
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July 22, 2010
Jon LeSage, Editor
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ADW Green’s Brand New Blog: If you’re obsessively tracking green cars and alt fuel vehicles, such as I do, you get used to visiting blogs. Mainstream media is covering breaking news such as OEM product decisions, but the most interesting stuff to read is happening in the blogosphere, which has inspired us to launch Green Machine Digest. To prove my point about blogging, go check out Autoblog Green, Green Car Advisor, Autopia, and Gas 2.0. Major newspapers/magazines have some good blogs to see, too. The benefits for ADW Green for going in this direction are multiple: daily postings in addition to the weekly summary newsletter, an opportunity for dialoguing and visionary opinions from anyone who wants to participate, and a stump to stand on for anyone interested in having their voices heard and their names known in the emerging green machine industry. Should be fun.
Interested? Email me at jon@automotivedigest.comand
don’t forget to visit the blog.
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Green Conference Planning Guide |
Conference Themes, Agendas, & Events |
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Two More Podcasts on Eve of Plug-In 2010 There are two more podcasts to listen to, offering a good feel for what people will be getting out of attending Plug-In 2010. Conference speaker Joel Pointon, Electric Transportation Program Manager, for San Diego Gas & Electric says this is the premier conference for plug-in issues around the country. It’s a great way to mingle and read the pulse of decision makers and influentials in the emerging electric vehicle grid. Plenary speaker James Ellis, Senior Manager for Transportation and Infrastructure, Tennessee Valley Authority talks about consumer education. Utilities are developing public information and outreach programs to help consumers understand the opportunities and challenges of charging stations. OEMS are developing consumer focused messaging for their products. Electric Drive Transportation Association has the National Plug-in Vehicle Initiative, and Electric Power Research Institute is supporting efforts through fact-based research. This event is taking place July 26-29 in San Jose. Visit the website for more details and to listen..
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Alternative Fuels & Vehicles |
Natural Gas, Propane, & Biofuels |
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EPA Streamlines NGV Certification Process
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to streamline the process for certifying natural gas vehicle aftermarket conversions is one of the most important steps government can take to expand the use of non-petroleum fuels, NGVAmerica told the agency recently. Natural gas vehicles can play an important role in increasing energy security, creating U.S. jobs, providing cleaner air and reducing greenhouse gas emissions – while generating economic benefits for consumers, said Jeff Clarke, General Counsel and Director of Regulatory Affairs for NGVAmerica. Under the proposed rulemaking, the agency would approve systems for use on vehicles older than two years, but would not require the more extensive and expensive Certificate of Conformity for these vehicles. Read more.
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Agriculture Secretary Speaks at Autogas Media Briefing
On July 14, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack participated in a media briefing and facility tour at Baker Equipment in Richmond, Va., as part of a White House effort to highlight its support of alternative fuel vehicles. The briefing outlined the progress of the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, a partnership between Virginia Clean Cities and Alliance AutoGas, which received nearly $9 million in ARRA grant funds through the Dept. of Energy. Alliance will provide the fueling infrastructure and coordinate AutoGas vehicle conversions in order to meet the program’s goal of implementing nearly 1,200 AutoGas vehicles and more than 20 refueling stations throughout the Southeast U.S.
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Group Advocates for Advanced Biofuels and Biomass
The Advanced Biofuels Association represents producers of renewable advanced biofuels and the providers of renewable biomass feedstock. ABFA engages the federal and state governments at all levels to secure a level playing field for innovative technologies. Accomplishments include making sure that a modified technical definition in energy policy legislation that ensured technology neutral processes became part of the federal Renewable Fuels Standard Program; and expanded the biomass-based diesel provisions within the RFS program to allow technology neutral framework that broadens its application to other distillate products like jet fuel and heating oil. Read more.
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Green Resources & Sources |
Reports, Whitepapers, & Association News |
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Hybrid Truck Market Explored in Market Report Research and Markets released its "Hybrid Truck Market Analysis to 2020 - Favorable Regulations and Fleet Purchases to Buoy the North American Market" report providing in-depth analysis on the development of the hybrid truck market in the North America. The success of hybrid technology in light-weight passenger cars has set stage for penetration of hybrid propulsion technologies into commercial truck market. The volatility of fuel prices, stringency of emission standards, and government incentives to adopt green technologies are pushing the hybrid truck market. All the major truck manufacturers and hybrid system developers in North America are on board with the technology. This report examines the current and forecast market for hybrid trucks, including medium- and heavy-duty trucks and hydraulic based hybrids, electric hybrids, and advanced battery technology. It also details the latest OEM Technologies, OEM market share, and strategies by manufacturer. Read more.
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| Manufacturers, Technology, & Component Suppliers |
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Plant a Tree: AutoNation is planting a tree for everyone that visits and approves of their page and have committed to planting up to 50,000 trees as part of its marketing campaign tied to the upcoming Nissan Leaf. The dealership network is going green to promote enthusiasm for the upcoming electric sedan, which has an MSRP of $32,780 and can go as low as $25, 280 net depending on applicable federal tax savings. Here's the link to their Facebook page. Just click on the Nissan LEAF tab to see the promo. PureGreen: Re-refined motor oils are becoming immensely popular on the quick lube/dealership end of the business and a lot of OEMs are making moves to factory fill with re-refined lubricants, according to a supplier of aftermarket products. Through the utilization of premium refined base stocks and advanced additive systems, North American Lubricants’ PureGreen motor oil delivers the unique combination of high performance and environmental conservation. Read more. Rotary Engine in Mini: The Wankel rotary engine could have a future as an electric vehicle range extender. AVL has built a prototype Mini with an ER-EV powertrain that uses a 254 cc single-rotor Wankel to produce 15 kilowatts at 5,000 rpm or 25 kW at 7,000 rpm. The 10 kilowatt-hour battery gives the car a 19-mile electric range and a 2.6-gallon gas tank extends the range to 124 miles.
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| Electric Vehicles & Charging Stations |
Suits Settled with Hybrid Technology Patent Filings
Patents for hybrid technology have been rising exponentially in recent years as nearly all automakers design and launch several new hybrid electric vehicles. Paice LLC has been fighting over this issue for years and last week settled suits with Toyota and Ford. The Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion have been under a spotlight in these cases, along with other hybrids. Paice and Toyota agree that some Toyota hybrids contain technology equivalent to that made by Paice, but Toyota developed its hybrid technology independently. Paice’s patent in the dispute with Ford covered a high voltage system for using both an internal combustion engine and electric motor as sources of torque to drive the vehicle.
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Challenges Being Faced by Plug-in Hybrids
There are several walls to climb for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to make their way to mass market, and this will be the topic of discussion at upcoming industry events such as Plug-in 2010. A new report from IHS Global Insight company SupplierBusiness takes a look at three big challenges – grid connectivity, plug-in hybrid technology, and vehicle availability. Hybrid electric vehicles have grown in popularity and sales particularly in the US and Japan, yet car buyers have been exploring battery-powered vehicle options leading to significant fuel savings. Plug-in hybrids are one of the fastest growing segments of the global hybrid-EV market, and this report tracks what’s impacting and shaping this market sector.
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Pike Research Expects High Volume FCV Sales
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were supposed to be all over car dealership lots by now. For about 10 years now, they’ve been touted as the “next big thing” in automobiles, but they’ve yet to make their way into the market. Much is changing on this front. A Pike Research report says that fuel cell light vehicles will be commercially launched in 2014 in most regions of the world, and their sales will reach almost 670,000 vehicles per year by 2020. With substantial support from the largest automakers, the pressure is on gas companies and governments to make sure that hydrogen fueling stations are available to support this emerging market.
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Stats and Smart Charts
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Proposed EPA Renewable Fuel Standards for 2011
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 Significance of the Data: - EPA has released proposal for 2011 percentage standards for 4 fuels categories under agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2)
- In 2011, 7.35% of all motor vehicle fuel sold in U.S., nearly 14B gallons, must come from renewable sources
- Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established annual renewable fuel volume targets
- Must meet an overall level of 36B gallons in 2022
- EPA proposing 2011 cellulosic volume that is lower than EISA target based on analysis of market availability
- Lower target for cellulosic biofuels is because production of biofuel hasn’t reached commercial scale, reports Bloomberg Businessweek
- Source: Environmental Leader - July 13, 2010
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Advanced Lightweight Materials for Vehicles
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Aug. 11-12 at Cobo Convention Center in Detroit
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Join the major stakeholders from DoD and military, OEMs, component manufacturers, service providers, and academia for a comprehensive exhibition, program updates, technical education, and networking opportunities - all under one roof at Detroit’s Cobo Center. This is the largest stand-alone military vehicles exhibition in the U.S. displaying the latest vehicles, components, and after-market products in the light, medium, and heavy categories. Visit www.advancedlightweightvehicle.com.
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Military Vehicles Exhibition & Conference
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August 10-13, Cobo Center in Detroit
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Join the major stakeholders from DoD and military, OEMs, component manufacturers, service providers, and academia for a comprehensive exhibition, program updates, technical education, and networking opportunities - all under one roof at Detroit’s Cobo Center. This is the largest stand-alone military vehicles exhibition in the U.S. displaying the latest vehicles, components, and after-market products in the light, medium, and heavy categories. Read more.
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Green People Going Places
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Gerard DeVito
Eaton Corp.
Director – Engineering, Hybrid Power Systems Division
Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp. has announced that in his new role with the company, DeVito will be responsible for directing all aspects of Eaton's Hybrid global engineering initiatives including design, development, and leading worldwide engineering activities. DeVito joined Eaton in 1986 and has held positions of increasing responsibility within the engineering, product planning, and sales and marketing organizations. Most recently, he was Director – Global Engineering Centers of Excellence, for the Vehicle Group. Prior to that he was director – Engineering for the Truck organization’s Heavy Duty Transmissions Division. DeVito holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Western Michigan University.
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Robert Stempel
Genesis Fluid Solutions Holdings, Inc.
Member, Board of Directors
Genesis Fluid Solutions Holdings, Inc., which designs and develops waterway restoration and mining and paper mill water remediation technology and equipment, announced that auto industry veteran Robert Stempel has joined its Board of Directors, increasing the company's board to four directors. He began his career as a design engineer at General Motors in 1958, was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 1987 and elevated to CEO and Chairman in 1990. He later became the CEO and Chairman of Energy Conversion Devices, where he accomplished exceptional growth in advanced nickel metal hydride batteries and thin film solar panel technology.
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| Design & Development |
Honda to Offer Only Hybrid Version of Civic and Retire Other Models in Japan
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Honda Motor Co. will be bringing out a hybrid-only version of its Civic in the Japanese market while an all-new gas-powered version comes out worldwide along with the hybrid version. The aim is to free up business resources and bolster development of green vehicles and low-priced cars bound for India and other emerging markets.
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CNG Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana Coming Soon to Fleets
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General Motors has worked out the details of becoming the first manufacturer to offer a one-source van CNG option with compressed natural gas-powered Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. Deliveries start this fall and offer fleet customers a way to order CNG-powered vans instead of contracting out conversions of their vehicles.
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| The Color of Money (F&I) |
Feds Hunting for Discriminatory Loan Practices
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The Department of Justice is actively hunting for finance organizations that violate non-discriminatory regulations. The new law about to be signed regulating financial transactions will only give regulators in the federal government more power. Wolters Kluwer Financial Services has launched a new program to help dealers and other financial institutions to steer clear of these potential problems.
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Lenders Warming To Subprime Buyers Again
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The loan approval rate for automotive customers is improving, according to an IHS Global Insight report. Even those with credit scores below 620, down to 5% approval last year, is now up to 9% approved, with 90% of top-scorers and 82% of mid-scorers approved.
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| Fleet Factor & Regulations |
Fleets Buying Fewer, More Fuel-Efficient Trucks
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Truck fleets have reduced pickup and van purchases less than 10% this year but heavier trucks 22.7% due to low business demand. The trucks they are buying are generally smaller and more fuel efficient.
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Updated EPA Renewable Fuel Standards Below Mandate
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The EPA had set hard targets for renewable fuels, reaching an overall level of 36 billion gallons by 2022. But some fuels are barely on track to meet those goals. So the EPA now has 2011 target as 7.95% of total gasoline sales.
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| Fuels & Energy |
Measuring 'Greenness' of Electric Car Power Grids by State
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As general public and car buyer fascination with electric cars grows, the fact is that electric cars are only as green as the power grid that supplies their juice. While state and federal officials wrestle with energy policy and climate change, the source of electric car power becomes more important.
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BP Buying Cellulosic Biofuel Company During Time of Change
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BP closed its acquisition deal for Verenium's cellulosic biofuels business at an interesting time. It happened while BP grappled to stop the Gulf oil spill, and the EPA surprisingly dropped cellulosic biofuel volume from its newly announced renewable fuel mandate.
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| Automotive Marketing |
If You Build It, They'll Sell It
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It's been looked at as one of America's dream muscle cars for the better part of 50 years, but until now if you wanted to buy a Chevrolet Corvette, you had to trust the engineers at General Motors to put the horsepower under the hood. Now, as a new marketing ploy, if not a nod to DIY enthusiasts everywhere, that's all changing.
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Toyota Won't Report Unintended Acceleration Findings Until Government Does
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While the company has completed its own investigation into unintended acceleration problems, Toyota will not reveal any results until the U.S. government completes its investigations (by several agencies) of more than 2,000 complaints.
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| Dealers & Aftermarket |
Jay Leno: Chevy Volt 'Underwhelming'
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Oops! GM gave Jay Leno a Chevy Volt to test drive late last year, but when interviewed the comedian described it as an "underwhelming compact model being phased out. "If you didn't know, you might think it's a Cobalt or a Camry," he said.
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Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Could Soon be More Prevalent
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Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have achieved little market penetration despite emphasis on safety. However, advances in radar technology, lower prices and intuitive interfaces should increase market penetration soon.
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