http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:16:45 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Automotive News has reported that VW will build a range of new power trains and engines at its just-announced assembly plant in Chattanooga, TN. The company has not publicly identified the vehicle programs and components that will be assembled there, except to say that the company will produce a mid-sized ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-news/volkswagen-plant-in-tn-may-build-hybrid-diesel-engines.htm Toyota is using "active noise control" in its Crown Hybrid model. The system relies on three microphones embedded in the vehicle's interior to detect noise coming from the engine. When engine noise is picked up, three speakers emit sound waves that are 180° out of phase to the noise, ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-cars/toyota-using-noise-cancellation-on-crown-hybrid.htm Nissan confirmed its plans to build an all-electric vehicle for sale in US dealerships by 2010. The company also pledged to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2012. The company and its partner, Renault SA, have also made plans to market electric vehicles in Denmark and Israel. The vehicle, based on ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-news/nissan-to-have-all-electric-vehicle-on-the-market-by-2010-zevs-by-2012.htm GM is cautioning Federal regulators that the Volt and similar vehicles planned by other automakers will not have a profound impact on average fleet mileage by the NHTSA-established deadline of 2015. Citing high production costs and complex manufacturing requirements, GM says it will not be able to produce the ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-cars/gm-says-volt-wont-carry-2015-cafe-requirements.htm The public is invited to the Plug-In 2008 Exposition and Conference, July 22, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Tickets are $10 each and will permit entry into the exhibit hall to see plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and PHEV technologies. Also on ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-news/public-welcome-to-phev-exhibition-in-san-jose.htm Automakers from the US, Japan and Europe are encouraging the Federal government to reduce its mandate to increase fuel economy standards by 4.5% each year through 2015. The current proposal offered by NHTSA would require automakers to adhere to fleetwide averages of nearly 36 mpg for passenger cars and nearly ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-news/automaker-alliance-asks-feds-to-lighten-up-on-proposed-nhtsa-regulations.htm A senior manager at the Ford Motor Company confirmed that the company is not currently planning to develop a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for the consumer market. Although the company is testing PHEVs in a joint project with Southern California Edison, Ford will wait to see if there is a ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-news/ford-wont-jump-into-phev-production.htm Scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have been experimenting with a modified plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius that gets an equivalent mileage of 100 miles per gallon and uses solar energy to recharge its batteries. The car also features a Li-ion battery pack that is six times more powerful than ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-technology/usdoe-works-on-li-ion-battery-safety-phev-technologies.htm Subaru introduced a new electric concept vehicle at the G8 Summit in Hokkaido. The vehicle is being called the Plug-In Stella Concept and is based on the R1e that the company has been testing for nearly a year. The four-seat Plug-In Stella offers a top speed of 80 km/h and ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-news/subaru-introduces-new-plug-in-electric-concept-at-hokkaido-g8.htm The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has placed an order for ten hybrid buses. The gas-electric hybrids seat 18 passengers each and will take delivery of the vehicles in 2008. PennDOT has an option to purchase an additional 15 buses. The Aztec/StarTrans Citibus offers a 40% increase in fuel efficiency and ... http://www.hybridcarchat.com/blog/hybrid-technology/penndot-inks-deal-to-put-ten-hybrid-buses-on-the-road-in-2008.htm