Earth, Wind & Power Blogazine

"SKY" Technology: Mazda's Eco-Revolution

Japanese car company Mazda has done some incredible work towards making vehicles more earth-friendly that can’t be ignored. With two eco-prototypes hitting car shows this year: the Kiyora and the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, Mazda’s progressivism is undeniable.

 

While some parts of Mazda’s futuristic city car are set to appear in future Mazda models, the stylish vehicle is only a study. Innovative systems for the concept car include its high-tech solar roof which powers the cabin and a rainwater cleansing system which makes water drinkable. The Japanese Mazda Kiyora model, which is so cute and ovalescent it almost looks like a skittle, is being shown at this month’s Tokyo Motor Show for the first time. Mazda’s stop-start technology, regenerative braking and slippery aerodynamics combined with new SKY technology could deliver 75 mpg for the car.

 

Mazda will also display the two SKY engines and the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid vehicle, which is already in use by Japanese government agencies. The Premacy uses a hydrogen-burning rotary engine hybrid system.

 

For more auto outlook from RTM, visit our Planet Driven section.

 

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2009 Honda Fit Review

Review by Kimberly Ewing

The 2009 Honda Fit is extremely impressive. Not only is this little beauty economical, it’s very affordable with a starting price of only $14,750. Our Honda Fit Sport starts at $18,960 which is an exceptional bargain. We averaged 29 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg highway. That’s two miles more per the EPA fuel economy estimates which are 27 and 33 respectively.

Our journey took us from Detroit to the west side of the Michigan, during which we found the Fit is very nimble in city driving and very easy to park even in the smallest of spaces. Even with high winds the car feels very safe. The Fit has ample safety features which include six airbags, energy-absorbing crush zones, anti-lock brakes, and active front head restraints. The Fit Sport also includes Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control. This little five door hatch with a five-speed automatic (also comes with a five-speed manual) has enough room for five adults.

If you are looking for a fantastic vehicle to get you around town and haul all of your goods, look no further than the Honda Fit. You’ll be glad you did. For more information, click here.

Visit Planet Driven for more on eco-friendly automotive.

Toyota Plans Yaris-Based Hybrid

The hybrid war between Toyota and Honda is heating up with Toyota Motor Corp’s plans of a new small hybrid car to take on the Insight, the inexpensive hybrid by Honda.

The announcement, first reported last month by Japanese business newspaper, Nikkei, suggests Toyota is facing fierce competition with Insight hybrid estimated cost of $20,000 when it goes on sale this month, several thousand less than Toyota’s Prius.

"We are developing a low-priced hybrid vehicle like Honda's Insight," Akihiko Otsuka, the chief engineer on the third-generation Prius, told Nikkei. "We are going to compete by expanding our hybrid-vehicle lineup to smaller hybrids, in the class of the Vitz (sold in Japan) and the Yaris."

According to Automotive News (free subscription required), the new Insight is selling well in Japan, and Honda is planning to follow-up with a gas-electric version of the Fit compact.

So, keep your eye on the horizon for a price war consumers.

More on this from Automotive News.

Ford Escape Hybrid Taxi

Major metropolitan cities utilize a lot of taxis. Not only are the vehicles wasting fuel by waiting for passengers, they are also driven at speeds where fuel economy is not efficient. New York City currently has over 250 Ford Escape Hybrid taxis. We all want to be fuel-conscious and Ford is making a difference:

·         The EPA rates the Escape Hybrid at 34 miles per gallon in city driving which can provide for 500 miles per fill-up. This makes the front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs available.

·         We all have been on erratic taxi rides. The Escape Hybrid is remarkably durable even in the most severe driving conditions. Ford offers a standard eight-year/100,000-mile limited warranty for unique hybrid components which also includes the battery pack.

·         The Ford Escape Hybrid meets the cleanest emissions standard available for a vehicle that utilizes fossil fuels. This drastically reduces smog-forming emissions which aids in less pollution in major metropolitan cities.

Remember, your next eco-friendly hail will be saving our environment.

For more information visit Planet Driven.

Johnson Controls to Supply Batteries for Ford's PHEV

Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the complete battery system for Ford Motor Company’s first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) beginning in 2012.

“The battery is the critical piece of electrifying vehicles,” says Nancy Gioia, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. “Johnson Controls-Saft is one of the leaders focused on creating lithium-ion batteries for an affordable new generation of vehicles.”

The lithium-ion battery system that Johnson Controls-Saft is designing and manufacturing for Ford include cells, mechanical, electrical, electronic and thermal components.

“As U.S. vehicle manufacturers commercialize their hybrid programs, the industry will be best served with a qualified and robust domestic supply base,” said Alex Molinaroli, president of Johnson controls Power Solutions. “Developing and manufacturing these components here also represents a significant opportunity to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign energy sources.”

(Source: Ford Motor Company)  Click here to read full release.

GM Outlines Roadmap for Cities to Plug Into Electric Vehicles

The future of plug-in vehicles is becoming a serious reality. General Motors has announced a comprehensive plan of action to help communities get ready for plug-in electric vehicles such as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt.

GM is working with key stakeholders in cities such as San Francisco to develop policies and enablers to accelerate the transition to plug-in electric vehicles. GM will undertake similar efforts around the country in communities such as Washington, D.D. These actions will help ensure the early success of the Chevy Volt and other plug-in vehicles.

“Collaborating with communities such as San Francisco and metropolitan areas such as Washington, D.C. – where there’s already an interest in plug-in vehicles – is another important step toward raising customer awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of vehicles such as the Volt,” said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet.

Challenges that need to be addressed include consumer incentives to make this early technology more affordable; public and workplace charging infrastructure; consumer-friendly electricity rates and renewable electricity options among other things.

Click here for full release.

Ford Motor Company's Electric Future

Ford Motor Company announced at the 2009 NAIAS its plan to bring pure battery electric vehicles and next-generation hybrids and plug-in hybrids to the market.

The company has already produced a prototype based on the Focus platform. Ford said they will offer a full-battery operated van to commercial fleets by next year. By 2011 Ford will have a small electric passenger car ready for American drivers.

The automaker will produce four different electric vehicles within the next four year, each expected to ready up to 100 miles on a single battery charge.

(Source: Ford)

GM to Manufacture 2010 Chevy Volt Battery Packs

This week during press conferences held at the North American International Auto Show, General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announce that the 2010 Chevrolet Volt will use battery packs manufactured by GM in the U.S.

The Volt is an extended-range electric vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving.

The GM facility will be the first first lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing plant operated by a major automaker in the United States.  It consists of lithium-ion cells that are grouped into modules, along with other key battery components. GM has been testing battery packs for the Volt, powered by cells from LG Chem. Compact Power INC., of Troy, Mich. Output is set to start in 2010.

(Source: General Motors)

Automakers Introduce New EcoDriving Program

Automakers have recently announced a new EcoDriving program, a comprehensive nationwide effort to help save you money at the gas pump, reduce fuel use and cut carbon emissions. It’s a way to save you money and help the environment at absolutely no cost, all it takes is a few changes to your driving habits.

 

For example, stop tailgating, know the proper way to accelerate and brake, use synchronized traffic lights to your advantage, drive at the optimum highway speed, and understand when to use air conditioning can all help reduce fuel consumption.

 

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the group of automakers responsible for launching the program, has also offered maintenance tips as part of the EcoDriving program. Some of the maintenance practices include, knowing which motor oil to use, understanding the importance of tire pressure and understanding aerodynamics.

 

EcoDriving produces the highest mileage from every single vehicle, regardless of size, make and age. If half of all drivers nationwide practice moderate levels of EcoDriving annual carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by about 100 million tons, equivalent of heating and powering 8.5 million households. Now that is a tremendous impact!

Learn more about EcoDriving at www.EcoDrivingUSA.com.

2009 Honda Insight to Debut at NAIAS

Honda will bring a new star to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) with the debut of its latest innovation, the 2009 Insight Hybrid, in Detroit this January. The five-passenger, five-door Insight is expected to be the most affordable hybrid on the market. Set to go on sale in the spring of 2009, the Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year.

 

The Insight will feature a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhanced technology called the Ecological Drive Assist System or Eco Assist. Just another example of how being more environmentally conscious can be more affordable.

Information on the Honda Insight Hybrid can be found at www.honda.com.

Visit NAIAS to find out more about Honda’s Detroit debut.