Clean Fleet Report: EV, PHEV, Hydrogen, Alt-Fuel Vehicles

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The Secrets of Curitiba

By John Addison (5/1/08) Jamie Lerner, renowned architect and former mayor of Curitiba, Brazil, shares the secrets of success. The city is not a problem; the city is a solution. Cities like Curitiba are model solutions from driving less and enjoying life more. Clean Fleet Article

California High-Speed Rail

By John Addison (Earth Day 2008). The California High-Speed Rail Authority believe they just may have the answer — an 800 mile statewide high-speed rail system that would serve more than 32 million passengers per year by 2020. Because the rail will be powered by electricity, and because of the efficiency of moving up to 1,200 people per train, CO2 emissions may be reduced by 12 billion pounds per year by 2020, and 18 billion pounds by 2030. Cleen Fleet Article

TH!NK Brings Electric Vehicles to the United States

(4/21/08) “The TH!NK city is the world’s only crash-tested and highway-certified EV and is ideal for markets such as California where we will initiate demonstration projects offering an exceptionally safe and fun car to drive” says Jan-Olaf Willums, CEO of Think Global. –“We are therefore proud to partner with the two pioneering investors in the clean tech field and to launch TH!NK city in North America with them.” TH!NK city reaches a top speed of 100 km (65 miles) per hour and can drive up to 180 km (110 miles) on a single charge. TH!NK Press Release

General Motors Looks Beyond Oil

By John Addison (4/16/08). “One of the most serious business issues currently facing General Motors is our product’s near total dependence on petroleum as a source of energy. To address this issue, we have been implementing a strategy to displace petroleum through energy diversity and efficiency,” explained Dr. Larry Burns, Vice-President of Research and Development for General Motors, during his keynote speech. Clean Fleet Article

Volvo Puts First Hybrid Trash Truck into Service

Volvo Trucks is now taking an important step towards commercialisation of this technology for heavy vehicles by launching two hybrid refuse trucks that will be tested in regular daily operations in Sweden by refuse collection firms Renova and Ragn-Sells. “This test phase is the last stage in the evaluation of our hybrid solution ahead of production launch,” reveals Staffan Jufors, president and CEO of the Volvo Truck Corporation. Climate and Environment Media

Hybrid Trash Trucks Do Heavy Lifting

(4/16/08) ISE Corporation (ISE), a leading supplier of hybrid drive systems for heavy duty vehicles, and Crane Carrier Company (CCC) have been selected by CALSTART's Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) Refuse Working Group to build Class 7 and 8 hybrid electric refuse vehicles. The working group members taking part in this hybrid refuse vehicles pilot project include the Department of Sanitation, City of New York; the City of Chicago; and Solid Waste Management Department, City of Houston. There will be 5 vehicles built and powered by a variant of ISE's ThunderVolt hybrid drive systems. ISE Press Release

The Clean Energy Scam

By Michael Grunwald, Time Magazine (3/27/08) Advocates are always careful to point out that biofuels are only part of the solution to global warming, that the world also needs more energy-efficient lightbulbs and homes and factories and lifestyles. And the world does need all those things. But the world is still going to be fighting an uphill battle until it realizes that right now, biofuels aren't part of the solution at all. They're part of the problem. Time Magazine Front Cover Story

UC San Diego Saves Millions with Realtime Management

By John Addison (3/26/08). Like all great universities, the University of California at San Diego, must either spend millions for car parking or spend millions for improved transportation. Using transportation demand management, UC San Diego is spending millions less in both areas. 27,500 students attend the university. “We encourage commuters to use alternate forms of transportation,” said Brian d’Autremont, TPS director. “Approximately 43 percent of UC San Diego commuters use some form of alternative transportation, including, bikes, buses, trains and vanpools.” Clean Fleet Article

French Post Plans 500 Electric Delivery Vehicles

(3/26/08) With frequent stops for regenerative braking and limited miles, postal delivery is ideal for electric vehicles. Venturi Automobiles and PSA Peugeot Citroën are partnering to supply electric vans based on the Citroën Berlingo First / Peugeot Partner Origin in response to a tender from the French Post Office, La Poste. Issued in April 2007, the international tender from La Poste initially involves the supply of a small number of test vehicles. Following a six-month trial period, during which the vehicles will be thoroughly tested, La Poste will select the supplier of 500 mail delivery vans. Green Car Congress

Oil Consumption Peaks for World’s #3 Consumer

By John Addison (3/17/08). “Only the USA and China consume more oil than California,” observes Jim Boyd, CEC. With oil prices soaring, California must reduce its dependency on oil to sustain prosperity and achieve energy security. As 38 million Californians deploy a range of solutions to reducing oil usage, the world will learn valuable lessons. In 2006, California consumption of gasoline peaked. In California, more people are driving fewer miles; importantly, fewer solo miles. More efficient vehicles are being used, often benefiting from hybrid-electric drive systems. As an alternative to oil, there is a growing use of biofuel, natural gas, hydrogen and renewable electricity. Clean Fleet Article

Subaru EV to Charge in 15-minutes

(3/17/08) The new Subaru R1e can recharge in a regular wall outlet up to 80 percent capacity in 15 minutes. The vehicle reaches speeds of 65 miles and hour and has a range of 50 miles, with a charge cost of $2. Subaru will partner with New York Power Authority (NYPA) to evaluate the company's R1e electric vehicle. The R1e comes with an NEC lithium ion battery that eliminates charge memory loss, allowing partial charges and quick charges that do not decrease battery life. The NYPA partnership will be kicked-off at the New York International Auto Show this week. Green Car Congress

10.3 Billion Transit Trips in USA is New Record

(3/10/08) The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced today that Americans took 10.3 billion trips on public transportation in 2007, the highest level in 50 years. Light rail systems showed major increases: New Orleans (128.6%); Denver (66.2 %); Saint Louis (27.0%); Philadelphia (26.2%); Kenosha (18.5 %); the state of New Jersey (14.7%); and Memphis (11.3%). Commuter rail systems with the large ridership gains: Nashville (257.9%); Santa Fe (96.6%); Harrisburg (41.3%); Seattle (27.4%); Oakland (14.2%); Dallas/Fort Worth (12.1%); Stockton (11.9%). APTA

FedEx’s Absolutely, Positively, Cleaner Fleet

By John Addison (3/4/08). With oil topping $100 per barrel, FedEx is also investing in hybrid, alt-fuel, and electric vehicles. FedEx hybrids have accumulated more than 1,000,000 miles in revenue service.100 diesel hybrids are in service globally, primarily in the U.S; 75 more hybrids will be added in 2008. The hybrids are an excellent investment with a 42% improvement in fuel economy. Clean Fleet Exclusive

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