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Oil Sands Pipeline Moves Closer to Approval, But Will it Save You Money at the Pump?

The U.S. State Department has released an environmental assessment declaring “limited adverse environmental impacts” associated with a proposed extension of the Keystone oil sands pipeline—which would transport as much as 900,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta, Canada, to United States Gulf Coast.

Opel/Vauxhall looking for partner to develop hybrids

Yesterday it was reported that GM-owned Opel/Vauxhall is looking for someone to share development costs for more gasoline-electric cars. This makes the second American-owned company looking to partner with a potential competitor learned about this week. A few days ago we reported that Ford and Toyota have teamed up to build hybrid powertrains for light duty trucks. One specific looming incentive for the U.S Ford-Toyota deal is pending CAFE rules that by 2025 will mandate a “54.5 mpg” standard (equal to around 40 mpg on the window sticker). In Opel’s case, the motivation to partner is essentially the same as it is between Ford and Toyota, but on a different continent, and considering different legislated mandates.

VW e-Mobility Study Includes Plug-In Hybrid Wagon

As the latest addition to its “fleet study in electric mobility,” Volkswagen has revealed its Golf Twin Drive plug-in station wagon prototype ahead of production schedule. The fleet mobility study is intended to run until July 2012 and 20 Twin Drive prototypes in various configurations will be put into real world testing in anticipation of a 2013 retail launch. All-electric range for the prototype is said to be about 35 miles, and the car is essentially an updated version of a Twin Drive hatchback VW unveiled in 2008. Gasoline-power motivation comes from a direct-injected 1.4 liter providing a respectable 114 horsepower (85 kW). When the gasoline engine is working in tandem with the electric traction motor, power output is a combined 161 horsepower.

GM Showcases Latest Electric Test and Demo Car in India

Experimental electric vehicle conversions last year by General Motors in Korea, Germany and as of last week in India, have some wondering when the company will create a pure battery electric to compete against the likes of the Nissan LEAF and pending Ford Focus EV. On Thursday June 23, GM began displaying and testing an all-electric version of its Chevrolet Beat minicar in New Delhi. The Beat Electric is not proposed for sale anytime soon, but India was chosen as a demanding environment – as well as growing market – to demonstrate the car. It is powered by a 300-cell, 20-kWh, liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery similar to what is in the Chevrolet Volt, but larger for the smaller, but non-range-extended car.

Is the Real Price of Gasoline as High as $15 Per Gallon?

Worldwide gasoline prices range from less than $1 per gallon to more than $10 depending upon where you buy, thanks to subsidies, price controls, geography and other factors. But what's the true price of gasoline? In a new video, the Center for Investigative Journalism attempts to answer that question, placing the total as high as $15 per gallon.

Ford to triple US 'electrified' vehicle production

Ford announced yesterday it would raise its annual U.S. production capacity for “electrified” vehicles – hybrids and plug-in hybrids – from 35,000 to over 100,000 by 2013. While the Focus EV is due later this year, the spotlight was also on four other hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Central among these will be Ford’s five-passenger C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid which for the first time were announced that they would be offered in North America. A seven-passenger ICE version slated for the U.S. however will not be offered.

With 60 MPG, U.S. Automakers and Workers Can Lead World in Vehicle Manufacturing

Around the world, nations concerned about oil dependence and carbon pollution are ramping up efforts to make cars and trucks more efficient. If our standards fall behind, so will our technology leadership

Toyota Is Developing Electric Motors That Don’t Need Rare Earth Metals

For about two years, media reports have stirred fears about a possible shortage of rare-earth metals needed for hybrid and electric cars. According to these reports, a shortage could threaten future production of hybrids and EVs. Today, Bloomberg and others are reporting that Toyota is developing a workaround: development of inductive motors that don’t need rare-earth metals. These motors could also be lighter and more efficient than the magnet-type motor now used in hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius.

European Green Cars Not Coming to the United States in 2011

Any green car advocate visiting Europe can’t help but feel a pang of envy for the sporty fuel-efficient models found across the pond, but not here. What’s up with that? Well, Europeans drive diesel, drive small, and are coming to terms with vice-grip legislation on carbon emissions—while we maintain our love for all things supersized. That’s starting to slowly change. The schedule of European releases in 2011 reveals a number of cool green models that will indeed become trans-Atlantic—and at least a couple that will stay out of our reach.

American Gas Consumption Slightly Down, China’s Way Up

The Associated Press reported this week that Americans in 2010 burnt an average of 8.2 million barrels—that’s 344 million gallons—of gasoline per day. That sounds like a lot, but it’s actually 8 percent less than the peak in 2006. Even as more cars clog U.S. roads in the coming decades, more efficient auto technologies like hybrids, electric cars and high-mpg gas cars mean that, by 2030, fuel consumption will be down 20 percent compared to today. Before you breath a sigh of relief for global warming, consider a few facts about China's growing use of cars.

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