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.
 

Chargepoint Smartlet

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.
 

Fisker Sunset concept

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.

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.

2010 Ford Fusion hybrid

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.
 

Volvo S60 concept

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.

GS Yuasa EH6 lithium ion cells

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.
 

2010 Toyota Prius

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.
 

Th!nk City EV

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.

2010 Ford Fusion hybrid

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.