BYD Co., Ltd (BYD) will reveal plans for the launch of US-ready electric drive vehicles and clean energy products at the upcoming 2011 North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. BYD will present its “Three Green Dreams” strategy, which focuses on renewable energy generation (solar power); environmentally friendly energy... Read more →

Researchers with the US Department of Energy (DOE)’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have been able to fabricate nanochannels that are only two nanometers (2-nm) in size, using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes. Nanometer-sized channels in transmembrane proteins are critical to controlling the flow of ions and molecules across the external and... Read more →

Maxwell Technologies, Inc. announced that 462,461 warrants to purchase Maxwell common stock at a price of $16.22 per share were exercised in full on 20 December, resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $7.5 million. The warrants were issued in conjunction with a private placement of a $25 million convertible debenture... Read more →

Mercedes-Benz has restyled the 2012 C-Class sedan and lowered fuel consumption by as much as 31%. Efficiency-enhancing measures include new engines, an improved 7-speed automatic transmission with the gear ratios on all versions optimized for fuel economy, and the ECO start/stop function. European market introduction is slated for March 2011... Read more →

Economic Times. India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), will introduce a 1.3L turbocharged diesel variant of its premium SX4 sedan early next year. MSI is sourcing the engine technology from Fiat. It currently produces diesel variants of Swift, DZiRE and Ritz with normal 1.3 litre engines...Besides, the company will... Read more →

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is soliciting applications for a total of up to $74 million to support the research and development of fuel cells for stationary and transportation applications (DE-FOA-0000360). The solicitations include up to $65 million over three years to fund continued research and development (R&D) on... Read more →

LS9, Inc., a synthetic biology company developing fermentation-derived drop-in renewable fuels and chemicals, announced that it has received $30 million in its latest round of funding. The additional funds will be utilized to ready LS9’s lead products for commercial production and support additional development and growth programs. BlackRock led the... Read more →

An EU-funded collaboration between universities and industry in Europe, Israel and the US is working to develop new engines, combustion technologies and fuels that will allow a substantial increase in the use of bioethanol in an urban context. Co-ordinated by Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF), the BEAUTY project (Bio-Ethanol engine for... Read more →

Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. Click to enlarge. Hyundai Motor Company has completed development of its next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle—the Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)—and will begin testing next year with an eye toward 2015 mass production. (Earlier post.) Hyundai’s third-generation FCEV is equipped with a... Read more →

Researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden report the discovery of trinitramid—N(NO2)3—a new molecule in the nitrogen oxide group that may become a component in future rocket fuel. This fuel could be 20-30% more efficient in comparison with the best rocket fuels we have today. A paper... Read more →

Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei) report the development of a magnetic solid acid catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose into glucose for biofuel production in a paper published in the journal ChemSusChem. Glucose is generated efficiently from amorphous cellulose in the mesopores of the... Read more →

A new report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides a comprehensive overview of methodologies for estimating air emissions from shipping; describes technological solutions; and analyses policy options for reducing carbon emissions and air pollution in this sector. This new JRC Reference Report contributes to raising awareness of... Read more →

Scientists report in an open access paper this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that river and stream networks are the source of at least 10% of human-caused nitrous oxide emissions to the atmosphere. That’s three times the amount estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel... Read more →

Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., has successfully completed the first flight of its FAA-conforming HondaJet advanced light business jet. The event is a significant step in Honda’s aerospace program leading to delivery of aircraft in 2012. (Earlier post.) The first conforming HondaJet lifted off 20 December from Honda Aircraft Company’s world... Read more →

US Federal Transit Administration is awarding $6.42 million to the Center for Transportation and the Environment in Atlanta and $10.17 million to CALSTART in Pasadena, CA to coordinate research among fuel cell manufacturers, engineering firms and transit agencies throughout the country for fuel-cell powered buses. Funded projects include: Next Generation... Read more →

Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc., which is commercializing olefin metathesis technology for renewable fuels and chemicals, has raised $100 million in its Series C financing round. The technology underlying ERS’ processes is based on the work of Nobel Laureate Dr. Robert H. Grubbs, who pioneered the olefin metathesis process at Cal... Read more →

The DIVAS research project (Diesel Innovative VVA and Advanced air System for Downspeeding) led by Renault launched earlier this year. Project partners include IFP, Valeo, IRSEEM, Arts et Metiérs ParisTech. The DIVAS project aims to identify promising innovative technology routes in terms of reducing CO2 emissions (about 10%) on a... Read more →

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has formed the Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment/Systems Section (EVSES) to represent manufacturers of products or assemblies that are installed for the purpose of safely delivering and managing electrical energy between an electric vehicle and an electrical source. The section will align the strengths of... Read more →

A cap-and-price scheme with a target quantity and corresponding price can alleviate rebound effects and perverse incentives of fuel efficiency and low-carbon fuel standards. Source: CITIES. Click to enlarge. Including road transport fuels in a cap-and-trade scheme, complemented by appropriate regulatory policies such as tank-to-wheel-based fuel efficiency metrics, is the... Read more →

Molycorp, Inc. and Japan-based Hitachi Metals, Ltd. have entered into an agreement regarding the planned formation of joint ventures for the production of rare earth alloys and magnets in the US. The ventures would be focused on the manufacture of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) alloys and magnets that are critical to many... Read more →

Vedder Transport Ltd. of Abbotsford, British Columbia has issued a purchase order for 50 Peterbilt 386 liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks featuring Westport HD Systems. Vedder Transport Ltd., a division of the Vedder Transportation Group, specializes in the transportation of Food Grade products in a bulk liquid or dry state... Read more →

The California South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has awarded AC Propulsion a $300,000 grant to integrate its electric drive system technology into commercial service vans (three Ford E250 vans supplied by Comcast) in Southern California. AC Propulsion will launch the conversion program by developing the electric propulsion system... Read more →

Under an agreement struck earlier this year (earlier post) Vision Motor Corp. will deliver one big-rig truck and one terminal tractor for testing for 18 months to the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, with an anticipated start in early 2011. Both vehicles are electric trucks, with batteries recharged... Read more →

BAE Systems, producer of the market-leading HybriDrive series hybrid system for transit buses (earlier post), is developing a parallel hybrid propulsion system designed for medium- and heavy-duty truck applications. The parallel system is the latest version of the company’s HybriDrive system. The HybriDrive series propulsion system—currently in service on more... Read more →

Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., an automobile production and sales joint venture of Honda in China, announced the new S1 compact sedan model of its original automobile brand, “Li Nian” (English brand name: Everus) at its press conference at the 2010 China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition. The Li Nian S1.... Read more →

Hyundai Motor Co. will name its new D-segment car for Europe the i40. Set to make its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, the new i40 aims to further shift European consumer perception of Hyundai to a more aspirational position. The new i40 will be launched... Read more →

Valeo and BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation) presented to the Beijing Governor an electric demo car equipped with a complete Valeo electric powertrain system. Equipped with a synchronous permanent magnet motor with a large operating speed range, Valeo’s electric powertrain is able to deliver both good acceleration at low and... Read more →

The European Union reached a deal which sets emissions limits for the entire van fleet to be reached by 2017 and 2020. Under the agreement, the average new van sold in the EU in 2017 will be required to emit 175g CO2/km or less, and 147g CO2/km in 2020. The... Read more →

Icom North America has attained the first US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for its Liquid Injection Propane bi-fuel systems for the Ford 6.8 liter engines, produced for Ford Econoline vans. The company can now convert applicable Ford 6.8 liter gasoline engines for E-250, E-350 and E-450 platforms covering model... Read more →

Main assembly of the Integra integrated motor and controller. Click to enlarge. Microprocessor controls specialist Sevcon has developed a new integrated high performance motor and controller for use in industrial and on-road electric and hybrid vehicle applications. The new Integra technology is designed to provide traction and motor drive control.... Read more →

Microchannel reactors enhance heat transfer and mass transfer and enable intrinsic rates. Source: Oxford Catalysts Group. Click to enlarge. The Oxford Catalysts Group has received its first order for a full-scale commercial FT microchannel reactor from its partner SGC Energia (SGCE). The FT microchannel reactor, comprising tens of thousands of... Read more →

The newly formed Engine Products Group (EPG)—comprising the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance), The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, Inc. (AIAM), the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)—filed a petition challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant a partial waiver approving the... Read more →

The Shanghai GM Sail electric concept vehicle (earlier post) made its global debut at the 2010 Guangzhou Auto Show. Also highlighted among the 23 production and concept vehicles at the show is the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. The Sail electric concept vehicle was developed by Shanghai GM and the... Read more →

Steps in recycling the booms to auto parts. Click to enlarge. General Motors has developed a method to convert an estimated 100 miles of the oil-laden plastic boom material used to soak up oil from the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year into parts for the... Read more →

Enzyme-maker Novozymes A/S has signed a definitive agreement to acquire EMD/Merck Crop BioScience Inc. from Merck KGaA for a total consideration of US$275 million. EMD/Merck Crop BioScience is a leading developer of natural inoculants used by farmers to improve plant health and crop yields. Its products are applied to crops,... Read more →

The latest generation THINK City is now available with four seats, and goes on sale across Europe this month. THINK City with 2+2 seating. Click to enlarge. The THINK City is powered by lithium-ion battery technology from Ener1 and the G4 EV drive controller. It also comes with air-conditioning as... Read more →

The Ford C-MAX. Click to enlarge. The Ford C-MAX in North America will offer a 1.6-liter I-4 EcoBoost engine; Ford earlier this year indicated that the 1.6-liter EcoBoost would be offered in the European C-MAX. (Earlier post.) Approximately one-third of Ford’s US engine volume is I-4, as customers opt for... Read more →

The plug-in hybrid electric test vehicle for Japan. Click to enlarge. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its second Electric Vehicle Testing Program, this one with Saitama Prefecture for its next-generation personal mobility products, including electric vehicles (EVs); plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs); electric scooters; and electric carts. The specifics of... Read more →

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have coated SnO2 nanowires with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) using a simple gas-phase-based method. An electrode made from the SnO2/V2O5 core/shell-nanowires delivers a high power density of about 60 kW kg-1 while the energy density remains 282 Wh kg-1. Vanadium pentoxide offers the advantages... Read more →

Water purification technology company Aquatech has been awarded a contract for a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant for a coal-to-chemicals facility in Hailer in Inner Mongolia. The plant will treat 2400 m3/day (634,000 gallons US/day) of wastewater and reuse 92.5% of it, producing 2000 m3/day (528,000 gallons US/day) of process... Read more →

(a) Schematic diagram of the bacteria-templated synthesis of the oxide nanostructures. Typical FESEM images of (b) the pure bacteria, (c) the bacteria/cobalt oxide rods, and (d) the hollow cobalt oxide rods. The insets depict the cross section of each sample. Credit: ACS, Shim et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers at... Read more →

Total US petroleum deliveries (a measure of demand) increased 6.5% in November compared with November 2009, evidence the nation’s consumer and industrial sectors are recovering, according to the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Monthly Statistical Report. The step-up in fuel demand represented the largest year-to-year increase for any month in 2010.... Read more →

Ceres recently released a new report concluding that coal-to-liquid (CTL) and oil shale technologies face significant environmental and financial obstacles—from water constraints, to technological uncertainties to regulatory and market risks—that pose substantial financial risks for investors involved in such projects. Ceres is a national network of investors, environmental organizations and... Read more →

Suncor is targeting 1 million barrels per day output in 2020, with its growth in the oil sands underpinned by its alliance with Total. Click to enlarge. Canada-based Suncor Energy Inc., which pioneered commercial development of the Athabasca oil sands in 1967, plans to increase production to more than one... Read more →

Researchers from the US and South Korea have developed a strain of yeast that can efficiently ferment galactose, potentially making the use of marine biomass as feedstock for biofuels fuels more viable. A paper on their work was published online in November in the journal Biotechnology and Bioengineering. While producers... Read more →

US President Barack Obama on Friday signed H.R. 4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (“Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010”). The bill, among its other provisions, contains a number of provisions related to energy (Title VII, Subtitle A) and within that, provisions... Read more →

TetraVitae Bioscience has completed a successful demonstration of its process to produce renewable n-butanol in a corn dry-mill pilot plant. In the demonstration, TetraVitae worked with The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) to retrofit NCERC’s fully integrated corn dry-mill pilot plant to enable it to run TetraVitae’s technology. n-butanol is... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has amended its diesel rules to offer businesses a variety of options to comply with the regulations to reduce soot from diesel engines. With the amended regulations in place, diesel particulate matter emissions will be reduced from today’s levels by 50% by 2014 and... Read more →

Ballard Power Systems recently produced its one-millionth MEA (membrane electrode assembly), the proprietary core component of Ballard fuel cells. Ballard fuel cells are being deployed to meet customer requirements for high efficiency, clean energy solutions in backup power, distributed generation, material handling and transit bus applications. While we have been... Read more →

Today at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show, Mission Motors unveiled the Mission R, the company’s new electric racing superbike. The Mission R features the latest components from MissionEVT, the EV powertrain technology arm of Mission Motors. The Mission R packs 14.4 kWh and 141 hp in a package smaller... Read more →