Clean Fleet Reporthybrid & electric cars smart charged with renewable energy
Big Oil Fights Big Ag
Americans are spending 20 percent of their income on transportation. Big Oil and Big Ag are fighting for their share of that money by trying to control the EPA and pass new legislation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to implement the long-term renewable fuels standard of 36 billion gallons by 2022 established by Congress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a rule on the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) that would provide financing to increase the conversion of biomass to bioenergy.
Ford U.S. Market Share Passes Toyota
Higher sales for every brand and in every product category propelled Ford to a 24 percent sales increase in January versus a year ago. Ford captured a 16.4 percent of the U.S. market, up from 14 percent in January 2009. Ford took the #2 spot from Toyota who is suffering from a massive recall and lawsuits related to braking problems. Toyota’s January share fell to 14.2 percent, from 17.9 last January. GM remains #1 in the U.S. at 21 percent, up from 19.6 last January.
Nissan Tennessee Plant Capacity = 150,000 Electric Cars per Year
Nissan’s Tennessee assembly plant will have the capacity to build 150,000 Nissan LEAF electric cars per year, and 200,000 lithium-ion battery packs per year. Plant productin starts in 2012. Nissan is serious about being the first to put 10,000 electric cars on the U.S. highways, then continuing to build electric car market share leadership. The lithium packs could also be used in future Nissan hybrids. DOE Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the $1.4 billion loan agreement with Nissan North America.
U.S. Wind Energy Breaks Record with 10 GW added in 2009
The U.S. wind industry broke all previous records by installing 9,922 MW installed last year expand the nation’s wind plant fleet by 39% and bring total wind power generating capacity in the U.S to over 35,000 MW. The five-year average annual growth rate for the industry is now 39%. Wind power and natural gas are the leading sources of new electricity generation for the United States, generating 80% of new capacity, as most utilities avoid the risks of adding coal and nuclear power plants.
100 Vehicle-to-Grid Electric Cars
100 Electric Cars will use V2G in 2010 – advancing smart grid charging and storage. The University of Delaware has signed the first license for its vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology with AutoPort. The licensing agreement launches the first large-scale demonstration of the UD-developed V2G technology, which enables electric car owners to plug in their vehicles and send electricity back to electrical utilities. The system is designed to generate cash for the driver, while strengthening the nation’s power supply and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Six Good Reasons to Use Transit
Buses, trains, car-sharing, carpools – whatever form it takes, shared transportation can give a big assist to car-free or car-lite living. Worldwide, transit plays a huge role in moving the human race. Even in car-dependent countries like the U.S., millions of people ride transit. All this travel has a range of advantages over using cars. Read this book excerpt by Katie Alvord.
2010 Cars with the Lowest Carbon Footprint
The cars with the lowest carbon footprint all save by using half the fuel of most cars. The Toyota Prius continues to the United States in fuel economy and lowest lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. This perennial favorite midsize 4-door hatchback delivers 50 miles per gallon (mpg) and is lowest on the list with 3.7 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for the EPA annual driving cycle. The 2010 Clean Fleet Report of Lowest GHG includes many hybrids, one SUV, and one car that runs on CNG.
TVA adds 815 megawatts of Wind Power
The Tennessee Valley Authority is moving closer to its goal of having more than 50 percent of its power generation from renewable energy with 4 new contracts for the purchase of up to 815 megawatts of renewable wind energy. This 300MW power purchase agreement (PPA) is the largest PPA to date for Iberdrola, the world leader in wind farm assets with over 10GW of wind power and 54GW of additional RE power in its pipeline.
2010 Cars with the Lowest Carbon Footprint
The cars with the lowest carbon footprint all save by using half the fuel of most cars. The Toyota Prius continues to the United States in fuel economy and lowest lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. This perennial favorite midsize 4-door hatchback delivers 50 miles per gallon (mpg) and is lowest on the list with 3.7 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for the EPA annual driving cycle. The 2010 Clean Fleet Report of Lowest GHG includes many hybrids, one SUV, and one car that runs on CNG.
Ten Reasons for drop in Car Ownership
In the United States, we embarrassingly have more vehicles than people with driver’s licenses. AAA estimates that it costs $8,000 per year for each car owned, which creates a financial burden on cash-strapped Americans. To the rescue are 10 positive trends that helped Americans scrap 14 million cars in 2009, while only buying 10.5 million new ones. Ownership is declining because of 10 factors including urban density, transit, employer programs, and intermodal intelligence.
Top 10 Electric Car Makers for 2010 and 2011
By 2011 year end, competition will be intense for electric car United States leadership. Tesla has the early lead in freeway-speed electric cars, but Nissan has big commitments for major U.S. cities. Toyota and GM will fight for plug-in hybrid early market share. Ford will have multiple electric car and plug-in hybrid offerings. European and Asian competitors will enter the fray. Don’t count out the good old United States “can do” entrepreneurs with exciting innovation and venture capital backing.
2010 Hybrid Cars for Best Mileage and Lowest Carbon Footprint
Hybrids are in demand now that oil prices have doubled since March. Some 2010 hybrids have double the MPG of others. The third generation 2010 Toyota Prius tops the list with the best fuel economy and lowest carbon footprint in the United States. Honda, Ford, Nissan, Lexus, and Chevrolet also made the Top 10 list.
