All About Alternate Fuel Vehicles (AFV)

19 Oct 2007
Source:
http://www.duemotori.com/news/eco_cars/
19270_Hybrid_Cars_to_Drive_From_New_York_to_Paris.php

When renewable-fuel powered cars and vintage automobiles begin the 100th anniversary re-run of the famous 1908 New York to Paris “Great Race” next year, they will be joined by a group of car enthusiasts with a unique mission: promote hybrid cars by driving around the world on the least amount of fuel possible.

Ten teams driving hybrid electric cars will join the Innovation Class of next summer’s Great Race from New York to Paris and attempt to complete the almost 22,000 mile (35,000 km) course by driving as efficiently as possible. ‘Hypermilers’, as they are known, push the limits of fuel efficiency and achieve unheard of miles-per-gallon readings of as high has 100 mpg.
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Marina Sarruf/ANBA */Translated by Mark Ament
Sao Paulo, Oct 24, 2007
Source: Brazil-Arab News Agency ANBA
http://www.anba.com.br/ingles/noticia.php?id=16308
Yesterday (23), Sao Paulo became the first city on the continent to have the vehicle launched. The objective of the project, executed by the University of São Paulo, is to reduce the emission of polluting gases, providing incentives to the use of alcohol instead of diesel in public transportation.
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St. Louis, Missouri, Oct 9, 2007
Source: Associated press / ColumbiaMissourian.com
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/10/09/
state-might-be-spending-more-money-flex-fuel-vehic/

The state has bought hundreds of flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on ethanol over the past few years, but that may be costing taxpayers thousands of dollars in fuel costs because of these vehicles’ lower gas mileage, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday.  Flex-fuel vehicles can run on either regular gasoline or an 85 percent blend of ethanol, which typically is generated from corn.
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Montevideo, Uraguay & Santa Rosa, CA, Oct 23, 2007
Source. ZAP press release
http://www.zapworld.com/coca-cola-signs-agreement-with-zap

Coca-Cola and alternative transportation pioneer ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP.OB - News) announced that they have signed an agreement to use ZAP vehicles in South America.  ZAP has signed an agreement with Coca-Cola’s Latin America subsidiary, Montevideo Refrescos Sociedad SA (Monresa). The contract is a purchase and service agreement for ZAP XEBRA® trucks. The first container of ZAP trucks is in transit from China and more details are expected to be announced with the rollout of the business model between ZAP and Coca-Cola.
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London, Oct 22, 2007
Source: Busines Wire

The popularity of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) is increasing dramatically across all the countries in the world and the United Kingdom is listed as one of the top five global hybrid electric vehicle markets. At present, the developed countries are keen on promoting HEVs, while the developing countries are unable to enforce the usage of them. Increasing demand of gas, price rise and environmental concerns are driving a market that is in need of alternative solutions.
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Electric car factory opens in China for ZAP Xebra
Ling Xian, China and Santa Rosa, CA,
October 24, 2007
Source: ZAP press release
http://www.zapworld.com/electric-car-zap-factory-China-xebra

Electric car pioneer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) announced today that a new factory in the Shandong Province of China has rolled out the first of its Xebra® sedans and pickups.  The new factory has the capacity to produce up to 4,000 vehicles per month, according to officials from ZAP and Shandong Jindalu Vehicle Company, Ltd. The modernized factory provides a more productive working environment with state-of-the-art automation as well as vehicle research, development and production capabilities.

Shandong Jindalu held a dedication ceremony and celebration at the new facility. More than 300-400 attended, including the Governor of Shandong Province and the Mayor of Lin Xian. Shandong Jindalu President Mr. Lu hosted the dedication. The factory opening was broadcast throughout the country on Chinese television with ZAP Chief of Operations Amos Kazzaz shown cutting the ribbon for the new factory. See a slide show from the factory opening at http://www.flickr.com/photos/11374805@N00/sets/72157602671261606/show/.

“ZAP has done what practically all the critics say is impossible,” said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. “Electric cars and trucks are rolling off an assembly line and customers around the world are sending in orders faster than we can deliver.”

Ling Xian is an industrial city in Northern China with a population of over 5 Million. Shandong Jindalu and ZAP are scaling up production for their pioneering auto industry venture in China. The previous facility had the manufacturing capacity to produce up to 1,000 vehicles a month.

ZAP is marketing the Xebra electric sedan and pickup through a global distribution network of auto distributors, dealers and service centers. The Xebra is a unique ‘city-car’ designed to provide an energy efficient alternative for commuters, multi-car families, businesses and government fleets.

About ZAP
ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies (AMEX: GBT). The Company recently launched a new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer, and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.

24 Oct. 2007
Source: DueMotori.com
http://www.duemotori.com/news/eco_cars/
19513_Mazda_Premacy_Hydrogen_RE_Hybrid.php

Thanks to its combination of Mazda’s trademark Zoom-Zoom performance and excellent environmental efficiency, the hydrogen rotary engine (Hydrogen RE) is one of the leading lights in Mazda’s efforts to develop the power plant of the future.  To demonstrate the exceptional environmental performance of this engine that burns hydrogen to generate motive power and emits zero CO2, Mazda has been leasing the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE to corporations and local government bodies since 2006.
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a new Green American Premium Car Company
Irvine, Calif. Sept.5, 2007:
http://jalopnik.com/cars/detroit-auto-show/296718.php

Quantum Technologies and Fisker Coachbuild, LLC announce the launch of a joint venture in Fisker Automotive, Inc. - a green American premium car company. Fisker Automotive will offer a range of environmentally friendly premium cars -with the first production car to make its Worldwide North American debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January. Initial production is anticipated to be 15,000 vehicles annually with pricing to start under $100,000.

Design and technology development are already underway for the first production car.  All models will feature cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology penned as Quantum  Drive, developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive. This all-new plug-in Quantum Drive chassis layout will allow Fisker to design innovative
luxury cars with uncompromised proportions.

The Fisker name has attracted and attained worldwide brand recognition, thanks to years of first-class automotive designs. Over his 18 years in the car design business, Henrik Fisker has left his thumbprint on some of the most highly regarded automobiles.   His creations range from the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 & V8 Vantage to his most recent creations – the Tramonto and Latigo CS, designed under the Fisker Coachbuild nameplate. Fisker Automotive will retain the orange and blue logo originated at Fisker
Coachbuild.

“The troubled environment is captivating the attention of the world. Developing a premium luxury green car which also delivers attractive design can make a difference.  We are extremely excited to join our automotive design expertise with the plug-in  hybrid technology of Quantum in Quantum Drive. This breakthrough chassis  development will allow us to deliver a design with dramatic proportions – one which
will carry the Fisker badge,” expressed Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Automotive, Inc.  “We want people to drive beautiful fast cars that make environmental sense – cars that are eco-chic and will have less of an impact on global warming.”

Quantum Technologies has a long history of advancing technology. Benefits in developing an entirely new, from-the-ground-up design for a plug-in hybrid vehicle  include optimized fuel efficiency and performance, unchanged gas station  infrastructure, home based battery recharging with any 110-volt outlet at a fraction of  the cost. A cleaner and a quieter car for local travel…all with the most advanced  comforts that are anticipated with a luxury car.

“Our goal here is to deliver the advancement that Quantum Technologies has made in  the area of plug-in hybrid technology. By combining our efforts with the renowned  design talent of Henrik Fisker, we can produce a car that makes a difference to the  environment – without sacrificing the luxury that accompanies the finest automobiles,”  stated Alan Niedzwiecki, CEO Quantum Technologies.

Fisker Automotive is a privately owned car company, operated by executive  management teams of Fisker Coachbuild, LLC and Quantum Technologies with  Henrik Fisker as the CEO of Fisker Automotive. Fisker Coachbuild, LLC will be the  exclusive design house for Fisker Automotive through the entire range of product  development.

About Quantum Technologies:
Quantum is a publicly traded, world leader and OEM supplier of state-of-the-art clean  propulsion technologies, fuel and energy storage technologies and services including  propulsion systems for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles, compressed natural gas vehicles, liquid petroleum vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids based on advanced electronic control systems and Lithium Ion batteries developed by Quantum’s strategic alliance partner Advanced Lithium Power Ltd. Quantum also provides engineering services including vehicle development and homologation and second stage vehicle manufacturing through its subsidiary Tecstar.

About Fisker Coachbuild, LLC:
Fisker Coachbuild, LLC is a privately owned company that has brought a new vision to the world of exotic, high-end performance sports cars. Their distinctively designed and expertly engineered automobiles are hand crafted using only the best quality materials and infused with cutting-edge safety technology. Fisker Coachbuild offers elegant and timeless sports cars of limited production providing the ultimate in exclusivity. The Fisker line is currently comprised of the Tramonto and Latigo CS. Creative design services are also carried out for further brand recognition within Fisker Coachbuild through merchandising. Designed by Fisker Coachbuild has also made its mark with the Artega GT design recently launched at the Geneva Auto Show in 2007. Now the future strategy will be to focus solely on the design of the environmental friendly premium cars for Fisker Automotive, Inc.

October 22, 2007
Source: FedEx / press release
http://news.van.fedex.com/node/5417

FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the worlds largest express transportation company, today announced plans to introduce 10 hybrid-electric/diesel vehicles to its European fleet, bringing the worldwide total of hybrid vehicles in revenue service at FedEx to more than 100 in North America, Asia and, now, Europe.
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Frankfurt, Oct 22, 2007
Source: Reuters.com
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSL2250550420071022

Robert Bosch GmbH [ROBG.UL], the world’s largest automotive parts supplier, expects potential growth markets for hybrid drive trains to be concentrated in NAFTA countries and Japan, the company said on Monday.  “For 2015, Bosch forecasts that hybrid vehicles will account for 4 percent of production in the NAFTA countries and 9 percent in Japan,” it said in a statement.
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