All About Alternate Fuel Vehicles (AFV)

by Kamal Meattle, March 09, 2008
Source: FInancial Express
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/
Used-cooking-oil-can-be-a-good-source-of-biodiesel–for-vehicles/282269/

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Delhi, which is a chapter of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), has committed itself to going green before the commencement of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010.
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Albany, February 28, 2008
Source: WalbNews
http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=7944178&nav=5kZQ

The price of gasoline hit another all-time high Thursday in Georgia. Like most drivers, Emma Greene is feeling the pinch.  She says, “Previous trips, before the gas went up, it was affordable. But now I’ve got think twice before I make the trip.”  And she worries the prices are only going to go higher. “I understand by the summer it’s going to be up to $4.00 a gallon. I think we’re going to feel this every time we go out to buy something,” says Greene.

But there may be some good news on the horizon; even though it may take some time before it has a major effect on the majority of consumers. It’s called E85 - a fuel that’s 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.
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New Delhi, Jan 25, 2008
Source: AFP
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g-uVfiynOIkSxc1PhM7CJCXOFefA

India’s Tata Motors, which recently unveiled the world’s cheapest car, may make its US debut with a tie-up to sell an electric version of its popular Ace mini-truck, an official said Thursday. “We’re looking at that opportunity to sell a vehicle on the Ace platform with an electric motor” in association with a US company, the senior official said, asking not to be named.  “It’s premature to give more details,” he added. (more…)

by Monica Perin, Reporter, Houston Business Journal, Jan 23, 2008
Source: Bizjournals.com
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/01/21/daily36.html

ExxonMobil Chemical’s new battery film technology has enabled a Canadian firm to roll out a new generation of all-electric vehicles.  Toronto-based Electrovaya today launched its zero emission low speed vehicle, the Maya-300, which incorporates ExxonMobil’s battery separator films to enhance the power, safety and reliability of the vehicles’ lithium-ion batteries.

“ExxonMobil’s film technologies allow lithium-ion batteries to meet hybrid and electric vehicle requirements, helping to make vehicles like the Maya-300 pelighter and more efficient.” said Jim Harris, senior vice president of Houston-based ExxonMobil Chemical.  Much of the work on the battery technology was carried out at ExxonMobil’s Baytown Technology Center, said spokeswoman Susan Kattelus.
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by Melissa Burden. The Flint Journal, January 21, 2008
Source: MichiganLive.com
http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/01/teen_building_his_own_electric.html

He’s finished one, so why not convert a second?  Andrew Angellotti spent nine months and about $6,000 to buy and transform his gasoline-powered 1988 Mazda B2200 pickup into an electric vehicle. Now he’s doing the same with a 1992 Toyota Tercel. And, by the way, he’s 17. “I think alternative energy is very important in our future,” said Andrew, who is homeschooled. “I just wanted to get the word out that electric vehicles are possible.”
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Jan 23, 2008 /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Source: Thestar.com
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/296641

Battery maker Electrovaya Inc. (TSX: EFL) plans to build a small, low-speed commuter car powered by its proprietary lithium ion polymer power pack technology.  The zero-emission Maya-300 is said to offer a range of 190 kilometres with a top speed of 55 kilometres per hour – “ideal for fleet operators in cities, universities and parks as well as the many households with a second or third vehicle for urban driving within a local neighbourhood,” the company said Wednesday.
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by Krithika Sundaram, TNN, 24 Jan 2008
Source: Economic Times of India
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/LiveITUP/
Electric_vehicles_to_replace_petrol_fleet/articleshow/2722661.cms

The ‘going-green’ concept is yet to strike a chord with the automobile industry. Although it is this sector which contributes 60% of the pollution which chokes the urban populace, the Indian automobile industry hasn’t shifted its gear into the green mode. Substituting petro-diesel vehicles with eco-friendly variants can never be easy.  Government support has been minimal. Infact, electric vehicles were offered a subsidy of Rs 1.05 lakh in 1997 which was abruptly stopped in a year. After several efforts by manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs), central subsidy was reintroduced in 2002-03, reducing the amount to 33% and making it applicable only to institutions such as government departments, public sector undertakings, educational institutions, hospitals, tourism and archeological sites. High fuel costs and congested city roads have only added to the pollution menace.
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By Terry Kosdrosky, Dow Jones Newswires /
Detroit, Dow Jones, January 24, 2008
Source: Money.CNN.com
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/
200801241243DOWJONESDJONLINE001053_FORTUNE5.htm

General Motors Corp. (GM), looking to bring fuel- efficient, advanced vehicles to market more quickly, formed a new engineering group to focus on hybrid vehicles, extended-range electric vehicles and battery technology. The move comes as GM and other auto makers are under more pressure from governments and consumers to improve fuel mileage and reduce emissions. GM is working to bring a commercially viable, electrically driven car, the Chevrolet Volt, to market by the end of 2010. (more…)

MOU signed today in Jerusalem for first application on Israeli market
Jerusalem, Israel, January 21, 2008
Source: Autochannel.com
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/01/21/075500.html
In a significant move towards reducing CO2 car emissions as well as particles pollution, the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Project Better Place engage in a breakthrough with electric vehicles in Israel.  The solution framework comes in response to the Israeli State’s challenge to the auto industry and its supply chain to migrate the country’s transportation infrastructure to renewable sources of energy. (more…)

By Chuck Squatriglia, January 29, 2008
Source: The Wired.com
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/01/feds-exempt-tes.html

Tesla Motors won a three-year exemption to a federal airbag requirement after regulators decided that forcing the company to comply could put it out of business.  Although the Tesla Roadster will have driver and passenger airbags, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the company need not comply with a 2006 rule requiring that passenger airbags vary their deployment speed according to the size of the passenger.
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