Volvo has introduce the first three-mode hybrid in the world during the 81st Geneva International Motor Show this week. During a media preview, the hybrid diesel V60 sedan was unveiled. It’s a plug-in electric vehicle concept car that the company hopes to have on European roads by 2012. The driver chooses the preferred driving mode via three buttons on the …
VW’s TDI Runs Clean Diesel But Less Biodiesel?
While Volkswagen has been known for its cars friendly to 100 percent blends of biodiesel, it seems that the last couple of years of the German carmaker’s Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) line of vehicles must run at much lower blends. This piece from EnergyDigital.com says that while VW’s Super Bowl ads were winners, the “upgraded” TDIs from 2009 and newer …
Mercedes-Benz Calls for More Hydrogen Infrastructure
German auto maker Mercedes-Benz says governments and utility companies need to invest more in hydrogen infrastructure in order to help get use of fuel cells in cars. The Detroit News says the company made the pitch during the North American International Auto Show and said it soon put 70 fuel-cell powered B-class vehicles on the road soon in California and …
Car Czar: More US Autos to Use More Biofuels
More American vehicles will be using more biofuels, as well as electricity and natural gas, in the next 12 years … according to the man in charge of the U.S. government’s investments in General Motors and Chrysler – aka, President Obama’s “car czar.” This article from Reuters says that U.S. Treasury official Ron Bloom believes the U.S. auto industry will …
Biodiesel Board to Hold Symposium with Ford & GM
The National Biodiesel Board, along with auto industry partners Ford Motor Company and General Motors, will be holding a symposium at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on Wednesday, January 12th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in Cobo Center’s Michigan Hall. This NBB press release says the biodiesel symposium, entitled “Biodiesel: Powerful Fuel, Promising Future,” will highlight …
DF Cast: GM Rolls Out First Volts Today
It’s a red letter day for General Motors today, as the very first Chevrolet Volts rolled off the assembly line today at the company’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant in Michigan. The Volt is the world’s first electric vehicle that also has a gasoline-powered generator, allowing it to keep on driving past the usual 40-mile battery limit. In this edition of the …
Chevy to Highlight Volt During Web Event
Chevrolet will be highlighting a promise the company made three years ago – to design, build and sell the world’s first electric vehicle with extended-range capability, the Volt – in a web event tomorrow (Tuesday) morning: To commemorate this milestone, we’ll host an event at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly facility – the home of the Chevrolet Volt. The pre-show begins at …
Land Rover to Introduce Biodiesel Concept Vehicle
SUV maker Land Rover is set to formally introduce a vehicle that is purported to do pretty well on biodiesel. This post on The Car Connection blog says the unveiling of the LRX Concept will take place tomorrow for the 40th anniversary of the Range Rover: The LRX was previously expected to make its public debut at the Paris Motor …
Verizon Fitting Ford Vans with CNG
Communications giant Verizon is adding about 500 Ford cargo vans that will burn compressed natural gas (CNG). This Ford press release calls the work on the E-250 cargo vans an upfit that will help Verizon reduce its energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions: “Verizon’s fleet team is constantly on the watch for new, lower-carbon technology,” [Ken McKenney, Sustainable Fleet-Technical Engineering …
GM Offering Natural Gas Vans for Fleets
Automaker General Motors is offering some natural-gas-powered vans, but they won’t be for the average driver. USA Today reports GM will offer compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in versions of the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans for commercial fleets: “We’re listening to our fleet customers and dealers about offering options that help them achieve …