May 18, 2012
According to Sascha Simon, head of Advanced Product Planning at Mercedes-Benz USA, the company is on track to launch an updated B-Class F-Cell for 2015 in California, with a “regular” sedan slated to follow in 2017.
However, Mercedes-Benz is adamant that its fuel cell vehicles look and feel like regular passenger cars as much as possible, thus the sedan is likely to be a derivative of the E-Class. The reasoning is that customers are more likely to consider fuel cell vehicles if they’re familiar with the shape and form of the car, despite its method of propulsion.
“We are not intending to build a particular fuel cell sub-brand that looks and feels different,” Simon said. “Our customers would like to drive our E-Class as a fuel cell car. It would work beautifully in a regular sedan shape – normal Mercedes luxury but filled with hydrogen.”
May 18, 2012
While many governments around the world have actively encouraged motorists to switch to greener forms of transportation, a prominent Think Tank in the United Kingdom says they could cost in other ways.
More specifically, a study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and commissioned by the UK’s Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Foundation has said efficient vehicles could blow a huge hole in official revenue collection.
May 18, 2012
Chevrolet declared that Volt owners have now collectively saved a supertanker of gasoline.
According to Chevrolet, since the electric car with extended range went on sale, Volt owners have compiled 40 million miles on electricity and avoided the use of more than 2.1 million gallons of gasoline. Based on $3.80 per gallon of gas, this means total savings at the pump of almost $8 million.
“With each click of the odometer, Chevrolet Volt owners are measuring their contribution to reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and to preserving the environment,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. “Volt owners are also saving at the fuel pump with more than $8 million in combined savings.”
May 18, 2012
Coda Automotive, manufacturer of the all-electric Coda, delivered its first fleet vehicle yesterday.
The sale of the first fleet-destined Coda sedan was made to AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power. The utility, which delivers electricity to more than 5 million people in 11 states, is incorporating the 2012 Coda into its fleet as a part of a demonstration project to learn more about electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
May 18, 2012
FedEx Express’ fleet is closing-in quicker than expected on its 2020 fuel usage reduction goal.
FedEx Express vehicle fleet is now 16.6 percent more fuel efficient through FY2011 than it was in 2005; well on its way to reach early the company’s goal to make its vehicle fleet 20-percent more fuel efficient by 2020.
