Environment » Australian Car Advice

Report recommends Biofuel Institute

November 17th, 2008 10 Comments

A report from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) says Australia should establish a national biofuels institute to improve collaboration between local biofuels researchers.

ATSE President and former Australian Chief Scientist Dr Robin Batterham said the country had an “impressive cadre” of biofuels researchers and that an institute resembling the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute or the Australian Solar Institute (which is still being developed) would be an ideal model for developing sustainable collaborative international arrangements.

FIAT Bugster - environmentally friendly fun

October 29th, 2008 8 Comments

While most cars designed to protect the environment look, at best, well-meaning, at worst, plain dull, the FIAT Bugster is designed to make saving the planet outrageous fun.

As might be expected when a group of Brazilians and Italians, two countries not renowned for their wall-flower tendencies, got together to produce a car under the “Environment and Fun” banner they came up with the FIAT Bugster – an all electric off-road car designed to be charged at home.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure to be built in Australia

October 23rd, 2008 22 Comments

Better Place group today announced agreements with AGL Energy and financial advisor Macquarie Capital are in place to help raise the $1 billion (AUD) needed to begin deploying an electric vehicle (EV) network powered by renewable energy.

The Better Place model for sustainable mobility will help Australia move closer to oil independence. With the world’s seventh highest per-capita rate of car ownership, Australia has nearly 15 million cars on the road after adding over a million new cars last year.

“The Victorian Government supports any initiative that will have positive outcomes in reducing emissions in the transport sector and welcomes this innovative approach to help make broad adoption of EVs in Australia possible” said Victorian Premier John Brumby.

Better Place will use its scalable model, which Israel and Denmark have adopted, to build the EV network in Australia. Macquarie will assist in business development and help raise the funds required to build the the network.

In support of the project, AGL will provide electricity from renewable sources to power the electric cars and enable Better Place to deliver sustainable transportation.

“As the world’s sixth largest country, our network build out in Australia will demonstrate that the Better Place model works in all countries, regardless of size,” said Shai Agassi, CEO and Founder of Better Place. “We are investing in Australia’s economy and adding jobs while helping the country take a generational leap forward toward oil independence. With our commitment to build infrastructure and the Federal Government’s $500 million Green Car Innovation Fund, there is a compelling case for automobile manufacturers to jump in and build clean, safe, affordable electric cars for Australasia and Southeast Asia.”

AGL Group General Manager Jeff Dimery said AGL will provide all of the renewable energy needed to power the EVs, while this initiative will accelerate the shift toward renewables that’s already underway.

“AGL is committed to increasing its renewable energy generation and believes it is important to collaborate and implement cross-industry initiatives to counter climate change. Because EVs charge primarily at night, they can maximise the potential of intermittent renewable energy such as wind” said Dimery.

David Roseman, Head of Infrastructure and Utilities Advisory – Australasia, Macquarie Capital Group said,

“The Better Place business model is game changing and represents an exciting opportunity for Australian consumers, the environment, domestic automakers, the renewable energy sector, local industry and workers to move to the forefront of the energy revolution. Electric vehicles represent a more affordable alternative to the conventional combustion powered vehicle. We believe the combination of a competitively priced vehicle, being driven by cheaper and cleaner fuel is a compelling business case.”

Michael Molitor, Senior Advisor on Carbon Management, Pricewaterhouse Coopers added,

“Better Place is a simple and practical solution to the enormous climate change challenge facing Australia. It is a wonderful example of a low carbon transport solution that is feasible, cost-effective and can achieve results on a scale meaningful to the problem.”

Better Place has an existing partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the world leader in electric car development. The company is committed to open network access and leverages industry standards, allowing consumers to have a choice of make and model.

Better Place expects the first mass market EV models to be available in Australia by the 2012 model year, a year after its mass market launch in Israel and Denmark.

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Honda ethanol-powered V8 engines at Indy 300

October 22nd, 2008 4 Comments

For those of us that don’t follow Indy that closely, you can be forgiven for not realising that Honda had already introduced Ethanol-fuelled V8 indy cars in the USA at the beginning of the 2007 season, but now, they are coming to Australia.

Furthermore, it won’t just be one or two cars, the entire grid will be powered by ethanol-powered V8 engines when the cars rev up it at this weekend’s Nikon Indy 300 on the Gold Coast.

Suzuki’s Indian plants lead green drive

October 21st, 2008 1 Comment

Suzuki’s two Indian plants are leading the company’s drive for green manufacturing with new figures released today revealing that since the start of the decade, green manufacturing initiatives have resulted in total energy consumption by both plants dropping 26 per cent.

Importantly, water consumption levels have also dropped (by 61 per cent) over the same time period, while C02 emissions per vehicle produced have been reduced nearly 40 per cent. These results has been achieved while at the same time increasing production levels from 400,000 units per year to more than 900,000.

Introducing the green Mini E

October 20th, 2008 12 Comments

The BMW Group will be the world’s first manufacturer of premium vehicles to deploy a fleet of some 500 all-electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic to act as a test bed for the new technology.

Mini E will be powered by a 150 kW electric motor fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery, transferring its power to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox which is also both noise and emission free.

Mazda tests hydrogen powered rotary

October 17th, 2008 4 Comments

Mazda Motor Corporation today introduced its Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE (Rotary Engine) vehicle to Norway’s public roads in collaboration with the Norwegian national hydrogen project, HyNor, following months of testing in Hiroshima, Japan.

Initially, the RX-8 Hydrogen RE’s driving performance on Norwegian roads will be validated with a single vehicle, which will also be shown at various motoring and environmental events around the country. It is also the first time a Mazda hydrogen rotary vehicle has been put into regular use on public roads outside Japan.

Toyota explores its Hybrid future

October 7th, 2008 21 Comments

Toyota will unveil three cars that explore new frontiers in hybrid technology when the doors are opened at the Australian International Motor Show on Thursday morning.

The cars represent vital steps in Toyota’s quest to develop the ultimate in environmentally friendly motoring, but so far this pic is the only snippet we have.

Chrysler expands use of Dual Clutch technology

October 1st, 2008 17 Comments

Chrysler has today announced plans it will extend the use of its Dual Clutch six speed automatic transmission (as featured in the all new Dodge Journey) to other vehicles across the family in the interests of improving fuel economy and CO2 output.

Replacing the outdated four-speed unit, the smooth shifting six-speed not only betters the environmental credentials for Chrysler vehicles but also offers consumers a far more rewarding driving experience.

KIA tops US Green Index Survey

September 30th, 2008 19 Comments

KIA has topped the Smart Green Index for the large car segment in the US with its Amanti (also known as Opirus in some markets) reflecting the highest relationship between perceived quality and overall value, as well as scoring highest in issues pertaining to fuel consumption and environmental friendliness.

Not to be outdone, the KIA Spectra (Cerato), Rondo7, Sportage, Sorento and Sedona (Grand Carnival) also scored highest in their respective segments under the new index.

Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler cars electrifying

September 25th, 2008 9 Comments

Proudly proclaiming that “actions speak louder than words” Chrysler has announced that it and its ENVI organisation have new production-intent, advanced electric-drive technology packaged in three different vehicles – one for each of its brands, Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge.

Chrysler will select one electric-drive model to be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010.

The US company says that additionally, approximately 100 Chrysler electric vehicles will be on the road in government, business, utility and Chrysler development fleets in 2009.

It said that it is well into the development of advanced, production-intent electric vehicles, and that it will apply electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years.

At its World Headquarters today, Chrysler revealed its electric-drive prototypes – Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV – and demonstrated the driving performance and capability of each.

“We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO – Chrysler LLC.

“The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provides a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing electric vehicles to market.”

The development of Chrysler’s electric vehicles and range-extended electric vehicles is led by ENVI – representing the first four letters of “environmental” – the company’s in-house organisation that was formed to focus on electric-drive production vehicles and related advanced technologies.

The company said the development of electric-drive systems for future Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles is maturing quickly.

“ENVI was created just over one year ago with the strategic intent to develop electric-drive vehicles quickly for Chrysler, and it is surpassing expectations,” said Tom LaSorda, Vice Chairman and President – Chrysler LLC.

“With ENVI, Chrysler is developing technology to bring electric vehicles and extremely fuel-efficient range-extended electric vehicles to market.”

The Dodge EV development electric vehicle is a two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive sports car that marries high performance with zero tailpipe emissions.

“The Dodge EV sets a new standard for what can be expected in electric-drive vehicles,” said Lou Rhodes, Vice President – Advance Vehicle Engineering, and President – ENVI.

“The electric-vehicle technology enables a fun-to-drive performance sports car and helps redefine the vision of an environmentally responsible vehicle for the Dodge brand.”

The electric-drive system consists of three primary components: a 200kW electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery and an integrated power controller.

The 200kW electric-drive motor generates 650 Nm of torque. The instant high torque of the electric-drive motor delivers outstanding performance, accelerating the Dodge EV to 100km/h in less than five seconds, with 400 metre times of 13 seconds.

The Dodge EV has a top speed of more than 210km/h.

The Jeep EV development vehicle is a range-extended electric vehicle that provides a glimpse into the future of a “Go Anywhere, Do Anything” vehicle with renowned Jeep Wrangler capability.

The Jeep EV combines Wrangler’s unmatched off-road capability with the ultimate “Tread Lightly” mindset by providing nature ambassadors with the ability to roam the planet and take care of it at the same time.

The Jeep EV range-extended electric vehicle uses an electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery system, and a small petrol engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed.

The 200kW electric motor generates 400Nm of torque. With approximately 36 litres of petrol, the Jeep EV has a range of 644 kilometres, including 64 kilometres of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation.

“We are also exploring four-wheel-drive, in-wheel electric motors to demonstrate the full reach of ENVI’s advanced electric-drive technologies,” said Mr Rhodes.

The Chrysler EV development vehicle is a range-extended electric vehicle that demonstrates another possible application of ENVI electric-drive technology in the segment-leading Chrysler Town & Country, known in Australia as Chrysler Grand Voyager.

“With the Chrysler EV, we are able to blend seven-passenger capability and the luxury of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan with electric-drive technology, demonstrating family practicality with zero compromise,” said Mr Rhodes.

“ENVI’s electric-drive development vehicles showcase our accelerated application of electric-drive systems into a wide range of vehicles in Chrysler’s future product portfolio.”

The Chrysler EV combines the electric-drive components of an electric vehicle with an integrated small-displacement engine and generator to produce additional electricity to power the electric-drive system when needed.

This provides all of the positive attributes of an electric vehicle and extends the driving range to be equivalent to today’s petrol-powered vehicles – without compromises.

The Chrysler EV uses a 190kW motor, producing 350Nm of torque, providing 0-to-100km/h acceleration in approximately nine seconds. The Chrysler EV range-extended electric vehicle can drive 64 kilometres on all-electric power, and boasts a range of 644 kilometres on approximately 36 litres of petrol.

Chrysler says this makes the Chrysler EV the perfect fuel-efficient family vehicle.

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