Hybrids

Adds Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle to Department’s Fleet

June 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Andy Karsner today announced up to $30 million in funding over three years for three cost-shared Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) demonstration and development projects.

The selected projects will accelerate the development of PHEVs capable of traveling up to 40 miles without recharging, which includes most daily roundtrip commutes and satisfies 70 percent of the average daily travel in the U. S. The projects will also address critical barriers to achieving DOE’s goal of making PHEVs cost-competitive by 2014 and ready for commercialization by 2016.    » read more »

Sen. Menendez commends Department of Energy for investing in energy efficient technology, expresses concern that commercialization goal is as late at 2016

June 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON –Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that they will award up to $30 million in funding over three years for three cost-shared Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) demonstration and development projects.

Early plug-in hybrid electric conversion: Photo by Steve Jurvetson (CC)    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today issued an order approving nearly $6.5 million in Michigan energy efficiency grants for all customer classes to 14 organizations.

"My fellow Commissioners and I are extremely pleased to announce these grants," said MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.

CFL artwork: Photo by Paul Keller (CC)

"The grants awarded today will help the state promote and move forward in the development and application of energy efficient technologies ."    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- "It is great news for all New Yorkers that the Taxi and Limousine Commission unanimously voted to turn City black cars 'green.' The Commission today approved our proposal, part of PlaNYC, to boost fuel efficiency standards in the black cars that service corporate clients to a level currently achievable only by using hybrid technology.

Manhattan traffic: Photo by rafaj (CC)    » read more »

March 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Early Friday, the Senate approved a Collins-Levin amendment to the FY09 budget resolution that proposes tax incentives that would help to increase our use of renewable energy and reduce our dependence on oil.    » read more »

Positioning State to Become a Technology and Jobs Leader

March 11, 2008 -- The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today initiated a pilot program designed to integrate plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into Michigan's electric grid, positioning the state to become a leader in this technology. The pilot program will be part of the MPSC's ongoing smart grid collaborative.    » read more »

DOE also partners with the State of Michigan and industry to advance vehicle technologies

January 17, 2008 -- DETROIT, MI –U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Under Secretary Bud Albright today announced that DOE will invest up to $30 million for cost-shared development and demonstration projects supporting Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs); and that DOE will participate in a cooperative, pre-competitive research and development alliance – known as the U.S. Automotive Partnership for Advancing Research & Technologies – or USAutoPARTs.    » read more »

ARGONNE, Ill. (Nov. 30, 2007) – Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory's Transportation Technology R&D Center (TTRDC) will present 11 papers during the Electric Vehicle Symposium-23 that will be held in Anaheim, Calif., from Dec. 2-5.

Argonne is the lead U.S. Department of Energy laboratory for modeling, simulation, benchmarking and testing for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Some of the presentations will address how to determine PHEVs' ability to reduce gas consumption; and how battery and electric machine components can impact a vehicle's energy consumption.    » read more »

Company will add 120 Hybrid Trucks to National Fleet over the Next Year

November 28, 2007 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today joined Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) executives to announce that the company is undertaking energy saving measures here in New York, including introducing the first five hybrid-electric delivery trucks, which will operate out of the company's distribution center in the Bronx. Coca-Cola Enterprises is responsible for the distribution of Coca-Cola products in North America and Europe.    » read more »

ARGONNE, Ill. (Nov. 12, 2007) — The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has teamed up with several industrial partners, including some of America's largest automakers, to promote research and development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Plug-in hybrids could revolutionize the automotive industry because, unlike conventional hybrid cars, they have the potential to run largely on electricity.    » read more »

November 8, 2007 -- Cars and light trucks powered by advanced diesel technology or hybrid technology can provide larger societal benefits than traditional gasoline-powered automobiles, according to a RAND Corporation working paper presented today.

The research by RAND, a non-profit research organization, also found that light trucks and cars continuously fueled by a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline – known as E85 – compare unfavorably with the other two alternatives.    » read more »

August 22, 2007, Bellevue, Washington – PACCAR and Eaton Corporation announced today that they have entered into an agreement to jointly develop proprietary hybrid technology for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in North America. The innovative new products will be introduced exclusively in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in the North American market, targeted for initial production by the end of 2009.    » read more »

BP America donates solar-charged vehicle to State of Maryland Vehicle Fleet

OCEAN CITY, MD (August 17, 2007) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today accepted Maryland’s first solar-charged, all-terrain vehicle on behalf of the State of Maryland.

The Solar Utility Vehicle (SUV) was donated by BP America, and will become part of the Department of General Services vehicle fleet. During his remarks, Governor O’Malley renewed his commitment to increasing the number of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles in the state’s fleet to reduce costs and auto-emissions.    » read more »

Aug 15, 2007 -- The Army today unveiled its first hybrid-electric propulsion system for a new fleet of Manned Ground Vehicles (MGVs), which will be tested and evaluated at the Power and Energy Systems Integration Laboratory (P&E SIL) in Santa Clara.

The Army is developing and building eight new MGV variants for 15 Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Teams (FCS BCTs). All eight commonly-designed MGV variants will provide Soldiers with enhanced survivability, increased speed and mobility, new network-based capabilities, and more modern, modular technology.    » read more »

August 15, 2007 -- KANSAS CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced that state government will continue promoting agriculture and conservation with a lease of the new Ford E85 Escape Hybrid, one of only 20 combination hybrid and renewable fuel vehicles in the nation.    » read more »