Clean Fleet Reporthybrid & electric cars smart charged with renewable energy
Voters and Congress Decide the Fate of Public Transportation
Public transportation and corporate commute programs have helped America finally reduce its dependency on oil, with vehicle miles traveled reduced for the first time. Now, our financial crisis is putting this in jeopardy. Although public transportation is rescuing Americans, will Americans rescue public transportation? This Tuesday votes in 33 states will make decisions about the fate of transit funding.
UPS adds Hydraulic Hybrid Delivery Vans
A new type of hybrid is being deployed that has demonstrated 45% fuel economy improvements. The new hybrid demonstrates the success of public-private partnerships that include the U.S. EPA, Calstart, Eaton, and Navistar. With a diesel “series” hydraulic hybrid of the type being purchased by UPS, a high-efficiency diesel engine is combined with a unique hydraulic propulsion system, replacing the conventional drivetrain and transmission. The vehicle uses hydraulic pumps and hydraulic storage tanks to capture and store energy, similar to what is done with electric motors and batteries in a hybrid electric vehicle. UPS will soon have over 2,000 hybrids and natural gas vehicles.
Map of Electrified Stops and Biodiesel Stations for Long-distance Truckers
Map of Electrified Stops and Biodiesel Stations for Long-distance Truckers.
Solar Powers more Vehicles as Gasoline use Drops
Solar is powering more vehicles. American’s have reduced their use of petroleum 5 percent this year. So far, petroleum reduction is the result of fewer miles traveled solo as people cut travel to deal with high gas prices and a slowing economy. At the Solar Power International conference, one notable area of growth is solar covered parking structures with vehicle charging – a cool solution for a planet that is getting hotter.
FedEx Improves Fuel Efficiency
The key to FedEx’s future is continued improvements in efficiency. Customers look to FedEx to handle shipment, logistics and delivery better than competitive alternatives. One challenge for FedEx is controlling fuel costs including jet fuel, diesel and gasoline.
BMW Electric MINI with 150 Mile Range
The BMW Group will introduce its battery-electric MINI E at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. BMW will deploy a fleet of 500 of the all-electric vehicles. The MINI E will be powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor fed by a 35 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with a single-stage helical gearbox transferring power to the front wheels. Top speed is electronically limited to 152 kph (95 mph).The battery pack will support a range of more than 240 km (150 miles). A one-year lease including maintenance is $850 per month. BMW will provide its cusomters with a fast-charging wallbox and provides a full recharge after 2.5 hours.
Keeping America Moving
A record number of Americans are saving thousands per year by using public transportation from one day per week to living car free. In 2007, a 50-year record of 10.3 billion trips per year, saving over 4 billion gallons of car gasoline use. 2008 will set a new record that may approach 11 billion trips. 15,000 who run global transportation systems convened in San Diego examine a range of strategic issues and to review 800 exhibitors at the American Public Transportation Association Expo.
Sustainable Development Ends Suburban Sprawl
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law SB 375 stating, “This landmark bill takes California’s fight against global warming… What this will mean is more environmentally-friendly communities, more sustainable developments, less time people spend in their cars, more alternative transportation options and neighborhoods we can safely and proudly pass on to future generations.”
California High-Speed Rail
Fiona Ma was nervous about getting on a train that was about to set a world speed record. Just before Easter 2007 in the countryside outside Paris, she saw the people lining the green and flowered route. The French were flying flags, waving, and cheering. Less reassuring were those of faith who crossed themselves as the new train accelerated past 200 miles per hour. The people blurred into a collage of spring time colors. The train vibrated much as when a jet plane roars down the runway and starts to ascend. Fiona hoped that this train would not leave the tracks.
New Honda Insight Hybrid Undercuts Prius in Pricing
The new 5-passenger hybrid Insight will undercut the Toyota in pricing. Expected first year sales are 200,000 cars. The new Insight shares styling cues with Honda’s FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. Takeo Fukui, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO. “This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value.” The Insight Concept defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology, utilizing a more cost-efficient version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) hybrid technology, resulting in a new level of affordability for hybrid customers worldwide. By 2010, ten percent of Honda’s sales are expected to be hybrid.
