| Diesel and Biodiesel |
Volvo announces new 2.4L 5-cylinder diesel for S80 by Sam Abuelsamid |
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Volvo announces an all-new 2.4L inline five cylinder diesel engine for its premium S80 sedan that helps it achieve 37.9 mpg (US) and meet EURO V emissions standards. The engine shares its displacement and configuration with an older engine but is otherwise new for 2009.
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| Electric |
Coulumb Technologies launches first smartlet charging stations in San Jose by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| Chargepoint Smartlet |
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Electric vehicle drivers in San Jose CA have a new option for "fueling up" their vehicles when parked. Coulomb Technologies has put its first public Smartlet charging stations into service in downtown San Jose.
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Fisker Automotive to debut new concept at Detroit Show by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| Fisker Sunset concept |
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Fisker Automotive will be debuting a new concept alongside the production version of its Karma sports sedan at the North American International Auto Show this month. The concept called Sunset will likely use the same powertrain as the Karma and is believed to have a convertible body style. (more) |
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Toyota to debut EV concept at 2009 Detroit Auto Show by Sam Abuelsamid |
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At next months North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota will unveil a new battery electric concept vehicle alongside the new 2010 Prius hybrid. Toyota has not revealed any details of the new concept yet. (more) |
| Hybrid |
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid |
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The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is now officially the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan available in the United States. The EPA has issued official mileage estimates for Ford's new hybrid and rated it at 41 mpg on the urban cycle and 36 mpg on the highway.
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Volvo to debut EcoBoost powered S60 Concept in Detroit by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| Volvo S60 concept |
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Ford's first four cylinder EcoBoost engine will debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in the Volvo S60 concept. Volvo has released images and information on the concept that reveal it is powered by a 1.6L turbocharged and direct injected four cylinder engine. As part of an all new powertrain, the engine yields 47 mpg in the concept.
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Honda forms lithium ion joint venture with GS Yuasa by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| GS Yuasa EH6 lithium ion cells |
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Honda announces new lithium ion battery joint venture with GS Yuasa. The battery maker and car manufacturer will collaborate on developing and manufacturing lithium ion batteries for hybrid vehicles.
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Toyota suspends plans to build Prius in US factory by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| 2010 Toyota Prius |
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Plummeting vehicle sales and US gasoline prices have caused Toyota to reverse course for the second time on plans for a new factory in Tupelo Mississippi. The plant originally planned to assemble the Highlander SUV was switched to the Prius hybrid in July of this year. Work on the plant will now be suspended when the building is completed.
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| Electric |
Th!nk asking Norwegian government for emergency aid by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| Th!nk City EV |
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Norwegian electric car manufacturer Th!nk is suffering from a cash crunch causing it to halt operations. Th!nk is asking the Norwegian government for an emergency cash infusion to help continue production along with additional funds to facilitate a planned expansion in 2009.
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| Cover Story |
Driving the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid |
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For the 2010 model year Ford is making a full frontal assault on Toyota's Camry hybrid with the introduction of hybrid variant of its mid-sized Fusion sedan. Green Fuels Forecast spent an afternoon driving this new hybrid sedan around the crowded streets of Los Angeles and came away with an outstanding 43.1 mpg average fuel economy handily beating any other car in the mid-size segment currently available in the US market. (more) |