Porsche Green Car Advisor Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

September 15, 2009

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Porsche Says It's Developing an Electric Sports Car

The same day Tesla Motors delivered its 700th all-electric Roadster -- to a German law student on the opening day of the Frankfurt Motor Show, no less -- Porsche's new president and CEO Michael Macht (right) announced that his company was working hard on an electric-powered sports car.

Sadly, he had no automobile to display.

Standing in front of reporters Tuesday, Macht said "that one day Porsche will have an electric sports car in its line-up."

Why didn't it?

Available battery technology is not "sufficient to meet Porsche's strict requirements," he said.

Tell that to the German law student.

Macht pointed out that Porsche has a long legacy with hybrid technology as it was exactly 109 years ago that Professor Ferdinand Porsche built the first fully functioning car with hybrid technology.

It was a nice little speech. One that would have gone well with an all-electric 911, and even better with a gasoline-electric hybrid 911. Only Porsche hasn't invented either.

The battery technology, you know.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett September 15, 2009, 5:45 PM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Batteries, Plug-ins and Electric, Porsche, Tesla
Technorati Tags:: Electric Car

August 31, 2009

Speculation: Porsche Cayenne, Green and Not-So, May Be Axed When Cycle Ends

The End Would Come Around 2016 If VW Decided To Limit Porsche to Sports Cars

No sooner do we write up a piece on the hybrid and diesel Porshe Cayenne models than our colleagues at AutoObserver post a piece speculating that the Cayenne is likely to bite the dust as Volkswagen completes its takeover of Porsche and begins implementing its own product planning ideas.

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Aufedersein?

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Bill Visnic's musings make sense, and if the Cayenne - in all versions, green and black - does fade away at the end of the present model cycle in 2016 or so, we won't shed tears.

It's a nice SUV, with tons of power and loads of style and accoutrements, but it's not exactly a vehiclel that the world needs. Porsche sells a lot of them, but we can see that with VW holding the purse strings, a Cayenne would offer unnecessary competition to the VW version - the Touareg - and the to Audi Q& from that rmember of the VW stable.

Still, we stand by our positions that:

the Cayenne hybrid, which goes on sale here next spring, is a very nicely done hybrid with impressive fuel economy for such a large vehicle; and
the Cayenne diesel, on sale in Europe and under study for the North American, ought to be sold here - it would be a lower-priced alternative that's almost as fuel-efficient and as fun to drive.

And wouldn't it be interesting if this early word of the potential demise of the Cayenne caused sales to rise, thus prompting VW to rethink the money-making potential of the line and evenutally deciding to keep on trucking with Porsche?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell August 31, 2009, 1:31 PM
Categories:: Audi, Diesel, Hybrid, Porsche, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: Cayenne Diesel

August 28, 2009

Porsche's Green Peppers: Diesel and Hybrid Cayenne Models Spice Things Up

Porsche promises V8 performance and 4-cylinder fuel economy with 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid.

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor

Hmm. A Porsche Cayenne hybrid, or the diesel?

Spend $70,000 or so for a superpowerful, hybrid gas-sipper (27 mpg versus 18 mpg for the V6-equipped standard Cayenne), or around $52,000 for a powerful diesel that delivers about 24 mpg? (The price tags are our best guesses. Porsche hasn't said anything official.)

Diesel? Or Hybrid?

Oops, the diesel isn't a choice, yet. You can only get it in Europe, South Africa and Australia right now - although Porsche is trying to find out if enough U.S. buyers would want one to make a business case for jacking up the emissions treatment system to meet U.S. standards and sending a few over.

The hybrid, however, goes on sale here in the spring, just in time to satisfy the green fancies of those who (a) have the bucks and (b) want to one-up the other Cayenne owners at the country club.

We got a chance this afternoon to take both new SUVs - a preproduction prototype Cayenne S hybrid and a European-spec Cayenne diesel - for a short spin in the hills of Beverly and were mightily impressed by both.

Diesel? Hybrid?

It wasn't that long ago that most everyone in the automotive media was raising eyebrows and questions about Porsche's decision to build an SUV.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (3); John O'Dell August 28, 2009, 7:43 PM
Categories:: Diesel, Hybrid, Porsche
Technorati Tags:: Cayenne Diesel

May 18, 2009

Are Automakers Finally Seeing the Light? Will Government and Greens See it Too?

Auto Industry Lines Up To Praise National Program Idea, Now the Hard Work Begins

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor

The auto industry, tired of being seen as the bad guy whenever fuel economy and emissions regulation is on the table, is wasting no time lining up in support of tomorrow's White House announcement on development of a national carbon emissions and fuel efficiency program.

A cynic might think this doesn't bode well for the ultimate result of the rulemaking process that President Obama will outline at a press conference in Washington Tuesday morning: That the auto industry figures it has enough clout left to wring the life out of any effort to significantly improve fuel economy.

But we think it simply shows that an industry on life support and dependent on government largess here and overseas has finally read the writing on the wall and realizes that this is as good as it is ever going to get and that if it doesn't play ball it will have no say in the rules it eventually will have to live by.

Automakers also have been caught in a trap of their own making. They've been fighting California, the national leader in establishing greenhouse gas controls on motor vehicles, insisting that individual states shouldn't be able to set carbon emissions rules and that a national standard is needed.

Now the Obama administration has stepped to the table and said, as the president is wont to: "Okay, let's develop a national rule."

To oppose that would be political suicide.

In that vein, the two lobbying groups representing almost every car maker that does business in the U.S. have jumped on board and are voicing support for the so-called National Program for Autos.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell May 18, 2009, 6:00 PM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, BMW, Chrysler, Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Legislation, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opinion, Plug-ins and Electric, Porsche, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: National CAFE Plan

April 20, 2009

Porsche Unveils 2010 Panamera; Sports-Car Maker's First 4-Door Has a GreenTinge

Porsche - true to its word - has unveiled the production version of the Panamera, its fourth model and its first four-door car, at China's premier auto show in Shanghai.

We're telling you about them because there's a little bit of green tech on board each: The engines are direct-injected for more efficient use of fuel and are equipped with start/stop systems that will shut them down at full stop, when they otherwise would be idling and pumping out C02 and other greenhouse gases as well as a few smog-causing emissions.

In addition, all three models will come with a seven-speed Porsche double-clutch gearbox (in German that's a dopplekupplungsgetriebe) that adds a few more percent to engine fuel efficiency.

Reuters news service reports that the base model 2010 Porsche Panamera is expected to get combined city-highway fuel economy of 26 miles a gallon on the European test cycle. We figure that would equate to somewhere around 21 mpg in the U.S. rating system.

Porsche says a V6 version of the Panamerica will follow late next year, with a hybrid model sometime after that.

The automaker figures to sell the car everywhere but chose China for the unveiling because it sees that emerging economy as particularly fruitful, with China's new moneyed classes more likely than economically depressed North American and European buyers to flock to the big sports sedan (not that China isn't having its own run of economic downturn).

When the car goes on sales there in January 2010 (four months after its September launch in Europe and three after it a North American launch in October) it certainly will carry a premium price: triple the U.S. sticker according to Reuters news service.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell April 20, 2009, 2:00 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, China, Porsche
Technorati Tags:: 2010 Porsche Panamera

March 23, 2009

Yokohama Rubber's Orange-Oil Eco Tires Make U.S. Debut at Sebring Races

New Petroleum-Saving Compound Makes Retail Bow This Summer

The bad news is that they still smell just like a regular rubber tire, leaving no faint tracery of orange blossom perfume in their wake as they roll by. Not even a fierce scrubbing of rubber on a hairpin turn or during an off-the-line burnout gives hint of their unusual chemical makeup.

The good news, by utilizing an oil derived from oranges, Yokohama Rubber Co.'s newest tires do help the environment just a bit. Adding the orange oil to the tire compound lets Yokohama reduce the petroleum content in each tire by about 10 percent and makes each tire easier - less energy intensive - to recycle.

One could argue that debuting an environmentally friendly tire in the U.S. as the official racing tire of the GT3 Challenge Series takes away a little of the environmental message: race cars aren't exactly easy on fuel or tires, but we like racing so we're not going to wag a finger and go all greenie over that issue.

Suffice it to say, if we're going to continue to have auto racing, and we sincerely hope that is the case, then it needs to get an green as possible. Little steps like Yokohama's orange-oil tires help move things in the right direction.

So we cheer that the company's U.S. arm, Yokohama Tire Corp., staged the world debut of the racing version - the orange-oil infused ENV-R1 tire - in Sebring, Fla., as part of the Sebring International Raceway's storied endurance race series this past weekend.

All of the cars (Porsche 911s) in the GT3 series wore the same rubber, so the Yokohamas also scored their first podium appearances at Sebring.

Next up is a regular retail version of the tires - which have been on sale in Japan for about a year and were first shown in the U.S. in a display at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show (left).

Yokohama says U.S, consumers will get orange-oil rubber this summer as the Yokohama dB Super E-Spec tire, initially in sizes fitted for the Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids; Honda Civic and Accord hybrids and the natural-gas fueled Honda Civic GX. All are cars with a green theme, so you can see where Yokohama's marketing campaign will be headed.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor

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Race photo courtesy of Yokohama Tire Corp.

Tire photo by John O'Dell

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell March 23, 2009, 5:16 PM
Categories:: Fuels & Technologies, Porsche
Technorati Tags:: Environmental Tires

Porsche Looks on the Sunny Side, Installs Solar Array To Cut Electric Bill

Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) has added a 327-module solar panel array on the roof of its Porsche Logistics facility in Ontario, California. On a typically sunny Southern California day the installation will generate 135,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, which is enough to cover 30 percent of daily energy consumption at the facility that has about 44 employees.

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Porsche has installed a solar electric assembly atop its logistics facility in Ontario, California.

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The installation, which cost just under $1 million, will cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50,000 pounds annually, said Tony Fouladpour, a spokesman for Atlanta-based PCNA, which is the exclusive importer of Porsche sports cars and sport-utility vehicles for the United States.

"It is a fairly significant move for us," Fouladpour said. "We have the capability of supplying more power but we've not made a decision yet on expanding it." Porsche did not receive government assistance for the module, Fouladpour said.

Porsche isn't the only car company looking to turn sunshine into electricity. Last year we reported on two massive solar projects undertaken by Toyota and General Motors.

Toyota has installed 10,000 photovoltaic modules atop its sprawling auto parts distribution center in Ontario. The installation that covers 242,000 square feet of the building's roof can produce 2.3 megawatts of electricity daily -- enough to supply 3.7 million kilowatt hours, or 60 percent of the building's power needs

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Greg Johnson March 23, 2009, 8:54 AM
Categories:: General Motors, Porsche, Solar, Toyota
Technorati Tags:: General Motors Corp

February 20, 2009

Porsche Tells More About 2010 Cayenne S Hybrid: 86 MPH With the Engine Off!

Porsche has released a few new details about its upcoming Cayenne S Hybrid, not the least of which is that, in testing, the full hybrid system enables the big SUV to run in all-electric mode at 86 miles an hour and to achieve average fuel economy of 26 miles a gallon in the European testing cycle.

U.S. fuel economy figures haven't been released but are likely to be a bit lower -- early testing put the combined average at about 24 mpg,

The SUV, shown initially in the U.S. at the Los Angeles auto show late last year and slated to hit the U.S. market in 2010, will use a supercharged Audi 3.0-liter V6 direct-injected gasoline engine that cranks out 333 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque.

It will be augmented by a 52-hp electric motor that provides an additional 221 lb-ft of torque.

An eight-speed automatic transmission ties the power plants together and the electric motor also serves as an alternator to help top up the charge in the hybrid SUV's 154-pound nickel-metal hydride battery pack.

Porsche's hybrid system sandwiches the electric motor between the internal combustion engine and the transmission, much as Honda does with its Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system.

The difference is that while Honda's system initially kept the gas engine running all of the time (that's been modified recently and Honda's hybrids can now run in all-electric mode for brief periods at low speeds), Porsche uses a clutch that allows the engine to stop at highway speeds while the electric motor soldiers on when there's sufficient juice in the batteries to power it up.

It is called a parallel hybrid system because the electric power plant and internal combustion engine can operate simultaneously, or in parallel.

Porsche's complex electronic controls and hybrid system design enables the system to provide a lot of its electric assist -- and fuel economy boost -- at highway speeds while other parallel systems; such as that used in the Prius and other Toyota hybrids, concentrate on adding electric propulsion during low-speed city driving.

Porsche said the Cayenne S Hybrid can travel about 1.2 miles in all-electric mode. At full acceleration, with both the supercharged engine and electric motor providing power, the SUV can hit 62 miles an hour from a standing start in 6.8 seconds.

A similar hybrid system will be used in the hybrid version of Porsche's four-door Panamera touring sedan. The conventional Panamera is scheduled to hit the market later this year and the hybrid will follow "sometime" after, the automaker said.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell February 20, 2009, 4:00 AM
Categories:: Hybrid, Porsche
Technorati Tags:: Fuel Economy

January 27, 2009

Yokohama Using Oil From Orange Rinds in Some of Its Ultra-High-Performance Tires

We've already told you about Lotus using hemp and sisal in its Eco Elise and Ford using oil from soybeans in newer Mustangs, Expeditions and F-150 pickup trucks.

Now we're pleased to report that Yokohama Tire Corp. is using oil extracted from orange rinds in its ADVAN brand of ultra-high-performance street and racing tires.

The tires, which are produced using roughly 20 percent less synthetic rubber, will be used by all teams in the 2009 Patron GT3 Challenge six-race series that features Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racecars.

Yokohama has developed a process that combines orange oil with natural rubber to form a new compound the tire company calls Super Nano-Power RubberT. The proprietary technology reduces the amount of petroleum used in tires without, Yokohama claims, compromising the performance characteristics of conventional race tires.

Yokohama's Motorsports division began researching this technology in the late 1980s. Development was recently accelerated as part of the company's global environmental strategy.

In addition to requiring less petroleum in the manufacturing process, the tires result in lower rolling resistance, which increases the fuel-efficiency of the vehicles using them. Use of the orange oil also improves the tires' "recyclability," company spokesmen said.

Kudos to Yokohama for making our planet a little more renewable.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett January 27, 2009, 9:35 AM
Categories:: Fuel Economy, Porsche, Recycling, Tires
Technorati Tags:: Fuel Efficiency

January 11, 2009

Detroit Auto Show: Volkswagen Debuts Mid-Engine Diesel Roadster Concept

The news release Volkswagen handed out as it unveiled its Concept BlueSport sports car in Detroit today said it all: "Volkswagen is starting the new year by presenting an automotive dream -- an affordable, uncommonly economical and highly agile mid-engine roadster."

The key word being "dream," because if the turbocharged clean-diesel roadster really does accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds, gets 42 miles per gallon combined, has a top speed of 140 miles an hour and is affordably priced -- all of which it claims -- Porsche would probably view it as a rival to its Boxster.

And with Porsche recently taking control of Volkswagen Group -- parent company of nine automakers, including VW -- all Porsche would have do to keep the BlueSport out of dealers' showrooms is vote it down at a Volkswagen Group board of directors meeting.

On the other hand, Porsche doesn't make a diesel Boxster and hasn't announced plans to come out with one.

A 6-speed dual clutch transmission -- the most economical and agile transmission system -- transfers the BlueSport's 350 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. It is shifted either automatically or via shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Making a positive impact on the car's range, fuel economy and emissions is the concept's start-stop system. When the car stops at a traffic light, for example, it automatically shuts off its engine. As soon as the light turns green, just tapping on the gas pedal is enough "to start the engine lightning fast."

Lightning fast? Sounds good to us.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett January 11, 2009, 4:26 PM
Categories:: Diesel, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Porsche, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: Diesel

December 30, 2008

Production of Porsche Cayenne Diesel Begins - Now Where's That Hybrid?

Porsche, which complained mightily earlier this year about European CO2 rules it said would make it impossible for the company to continue turning out vehicles imbued with Porsche DNA, is trying nonetheless.

The carmaker on Monday began production - for the European market only, it says - of a diesel version of its Cayenne SUV (right).

Porsche's first diesel will be outfitted with the same 3.0-liter, 240 horsepower V6 TDI engine that Audi and Volkswagen are using for their upcoming diesel SUVs, the VW Touareg (the Cayenne's cousin) and Audi Q7.

Porsche has said that it expects its diesel Cayenne to achieve about 25 miles per gallon in overall fuel economy, a substantial improvement over the base gasoline model's federal EPA rating of just 16 mpg overall.

No word yet on when, or whether, Porsche might decide to ship its diesel SUV stateside.

Citing the ongoing economic meltdown, several automakers have canceled diesel plans for the U.S. recently (Honda most notably) because the engines and required emissions controls make them cost thousands more than their gas counterparts.

While we're waiting for word on the diesel Cayenne's future in the U.S., we're also still waiting for the hybrid Cayenne that Porsche promised us way back in 2005. Initially it was to have been a 2009 model but it now has been pushed back to 2010.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell December 30, 2008, 8:33 AM
Categories:: Audi, Diesel, Hybrid, Porsche, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: Porsche Cayenne Diesel Production Begins

November 25, 2008

Porsche, Unhappy With eRuf, Places an Order for a Tesla Roadster to Study It

It is an understood truth that important research and development departments and their engineers remain important by learning all they can from the successes and mistakes of their competitors.

The latest proof of that is the purchase of a zero-emissions Tesla Roadster electric vehicle by Porsche's scientists in Weissach, Germany.

A Tesla spokesperson told Edmunds.com's Inside Line, "A Porsche senior engineer actually came over a few weeks back, and he was seriously analyzing the car in every detail." The spokesperson said that Porsche will have to wait a little while to get a Tesla, as the automaker is "pretty far down on the list of current orders."

Separately, a German source has told Inside Line that Porsche is none too pleased with the recently tested eRuf (pictured), created by tuner Ruf and California expert Calmotors using a 997 911 Carrera chassis and body packed with lithium-ion units.

No one is detailing exactly why Porsche is unhappy with the car, but Porsche is known to be working on its own lithium-ion-powered prototype.

Tesla has revealed that the full first run of 250 planned European roadsters for 2009 will come loaded to the max with top-line leather, a premium audio package, painted carbon fiber and other expected high-end touches, all standard in the 99,000 euro ($124,000) base price.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett November 25, 2008, 8:40 AM
Categories:: Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Plug-ins and Electric, Porsche, Tesla
Technorati Tags:: Calmotors

November 3, 2008

Fuel-Efficient, Emissions-Responsible Four-Cylinder Porsche Reportedly in Works

Boxster 400x267.jpg Porsche built its high-performance reputation on the 911, which has relied on a six-cylinder engine from its first model year (1964) to the present.

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Right, a 2009 Porsche Boxster.
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But the engine in the very first Porsche -- the Porsche 64, also known as the VW Aerocoupe, Type 64 and Type 60K10 -- was a four-cylinder producing about 50 horsepower. That model debuted in 1938.

Porsche has fitted many models with four-cylinder engines in the 70 years since the 64, including the 356, 550, 914, 924, 944 and 968, but it's been a while since German automaker shipped a production four banger.

That's about to change, thanks to increasingly stringent emissions regulations in the U.S. and Europe.

The next Porsche Boxster will feature a four-cylinder engine for the first time, the British magazine Autocar reported today, citing Stuttgart insiders.

It will be "the most economical Porsche ever," Autocar reported, presumably referring to fuel economy.

The publication said there will even be turbocharged variant, likely to offer just over 200 horsepower, Autocar reported, "and next Boxster is expected to be significantly lighter than its predecessor."

Interesting. The publication says to "expect this entry-level model in 2011."

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); Scott Doggett November 3, 2008, 5:09 PM
Categories:: Emissions, Fuel Economy, Legislation, Porsche
Technorati Tags:: 2009 Porsche Boxster

September 11, 2008

Mercedes-Benz Embracing Hybrids In a Big Way

Pressed to lower its cars' carbon dioxide emissions and to give consumers more fuel-efficient vehicles, luxury car maker Daimler says it anticipates that gas- or diesel-electric hybrids could account for one in fiive of its Mercedes-Benz unit's cars and SUVs by 2015.

Beginning with an S-Class hybrid (right) next year, Daimler plans to roll out at least one hybrid vehicle a year, Susanne Klauser, a spokeswoman for the German carmaker told Bloomberg News today.

German auto companies, heavily invested in advanced diesel technology, have been slow to jump on the hybrid bandwagon and still argue that putting two powertrains in one car is a costly and inefficient way to go green.

But there's no arguing with success and Daimler, BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche all have watched Toyota Motor Co.'s Prius shoot to the top of the best-seller lists in recent years, as consumers have become convinced that hybrids are one of the best ways to cut fuel consumption.

Daimler hasn't abandoned other green technologies, however, and recently showed Green Car Advisor a spate of projects including an advanced fuel-cell electric car and an improved clean-emissions gasoline engine that delivers diesel-like torque and fuel economy.

John O'Dell,Senior Editor

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell September 11, 2008, 12:56 PM
Categories:: BMW, Daimler, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Fuels & Technologies, Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: Daimler

August 18, 2008

Website Helps Motorists Become Fuel Efficient -- and Automakers Appear Green

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

The nerve of some people.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers today distributed a press release, saying that it had trademarked "EcoDriving" and launched a Website with fuel-saving tips for motorists.

This is the same Alliance that has vigilantly opposed legislation that would compel automakers to meet government-mandated fuel-economy standards.

The Website the Alliance launched -- ecodrivingusa.com -- contains what you'd expect: Nothing on how the industry can clean up its act and provide more fuel efficiency, just tips on how motorists can drive more fuel efficiently, a means to calculate your vehicle's carbon footprint, and of course instructions on how to "promote the EcoDriving program."

As for the Alliance's claim that they possess the trademark to "EcoDriving"?

The term "EcoDriving" is not unique to the Alliance or its services or products -- a litmus test that trademark terms must pass -- and the term has been in the public domain for awhile.

It can, for example, be found on ecomodders.com, ecodrive.org and other Websites that promote fuel-responsible driving and, unlike the Alliance and its new Website, aren't funded by BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett August 18, 2008, 5:58 PM
Categories:: BMW, Chrysler, Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Legislation, Manufacturers, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen

August 11, 2008

Business Is Brisk at Nation's First Rental Car Company That Loans Only Hybrids

With established rent-a-car companies reporting that they are having trouble meeting customer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, a Southern California company has begun renting nothing but hybrid vehicles.

Business has been brisk at Eqocar in Burbank since it opened its doors three months ago, General Manager Nick Hamed told Green Car Advisor today. Hamed said Eqocar, which rents only hybrid vehicles, is in talks to open four more rental-car centers, all in California.

Eventually, the company would like to expand nationwide, Hamed said.

Eqocar has a fleet of 45 hybrids, which include the Toyota Prius, Camry and Highlander hybrids, Ford Escape Hybrid, Lexus LS600h L, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe hybrids, and the Nissan Altima hybrid. Daily rates range from $59 for the Prius to $650 for the LS600h L.

There are plans to add the extended-range plug-in electric Chevrolet Volt, hybrid versions of the Smart Fortwo, Chrysler Aspen, Cadillac Escalade, and Porsche Cayenne and Panamera, as well as the Tesla and Fisker plug-in sports cars and the bubbled-faced three-wheel Aptera to the rental fleet, Hamed said.

The Aptera is reminiscent of vehicles appearing in The Jetsons, a futuristic cartoon series produced during 1962 and '63.

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett August 11, 2008, 2:42 PM
Categories:: Aptera, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Emissions, Fisker, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Lexus, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Porsche, Smart, Tesla, Toyota
Technorati Tags:: Camry Hybrid

August 5, 2008

Ballot Measure Would Ban Most SUVs, Sports Cars From Swiss Roads

America's auto-emissions regulators have nothing on the youth brigade of the Swiss Green Party.

The youth have obtained the 100,000 signatures needed to put a measure before Switzerland's voters that would ban passenger vehicles that have a curb weight of more than 4,820 pounds, emit more than 250 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, or have front ends deemed dangerous to pedestrians.

The measure would also ban diesel cars lacking particle filters. Non-compliant cars registered before the measure goes into law would be fitted with a governor limiting them to 62 miles per hour.

The measure, which is viewed as moderate by its proponents, would remove all but the most fuel efficient models from Swiss roads. The forbidden list contains 785 models. In Porsche's lineup, for instance, all but the Boxster and Cayman fitted with 2.7-liter engines would be barred.

Lots of Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs and Audis would be history, as would every Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini. Not all automakers would suffer. Lotus's entire lineup, for example, would be compliant.

The vote has not been scheduled and could be a couple of years away. Also, more than 90 percent of initiatives presented to Swiss voters since 1848 have been rejected. But "moderates" can hope.

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); Scott Doggett August 5, 2008, 11:22 AM
Categories:: Audi, BMW, Diesel, Emissions, Ferarri, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Lamborghini, Legislation, Lotus, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Plug-ins and Electric, Porsche, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: Audi

July 22, 2008

Acura, Smart, Chevy Models Top List of Healthiest Cars Tested by Ecology Center

Soy foam in the seats the Ford F-150 pickups and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. Locally farmed hemp , "ethically produced" woolen fabric and floor mats made of sisal in the Lotus Eco Elise.

Some automakers are increasingly going to great lengths to make the interiors of some of their models if not environmentally friendly, at least a bit wholesome.

But others, well...

Early today the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, Michigan, posted its second-annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and children's car seats at www.HealthyCar.org.

More than two hundred 2008- and 2009-model-year vehicles and more than 60 children's car seats were tested for unhealthy chemicals that seep in gaseous form from the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, seats and carpet.

The "new-car smell," as the gases are commonly called, mingle with the air occupants breathe and have been linked to allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer.

The Ecology Center reported that Mazda, General Motors and Nissan improved since last year's findings, with GM showing the greatest gains of the domestic automakers, with an average vehicle ranking improvement of 27 percent.

The list of the 10 best and 10 worst vehicles as picked by the Center appears in the chart above.

Average child-car-seat scores improved 28 percent overall. The list of 10 best and worst car seats for 2008 as picked by the Center appears at left. Click on the chart for a better look.

For more information, go to www.HealthyCar.org.

Below are the three worst 2008-model-year vehicles by interior pollution, according to the Center (click on each to enlarge). From left to right: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Suzuki Reno and Volkswagen New Beetle.

Below are are the three best vehicles by interior pollution, according to the Center (click on each to enlarge). From left to right: Acura RXD, Chevrolet Cobalt and Smart Passion Cabriolet.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett July 22, 2008, 12:21 AM
Categories:: Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Emissions, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, MINI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Saab, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Think, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

July 17, 2008

That New Car Smell Might Kill You

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

That's our sensational headline for 2008, but there's more than a smidgen of truth in it.

Last year Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Ecology Center released the first-ever consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and child car seats -- and what they reported was sickening.

The odor you inhale when you slide into a new car? It might very well be bromine, chlorine, lead, other harmful chemicals or a witches' brew of them. They've been linked to birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, premature births and, no doubt, cancer.

If you think the government protects you against such things, think again. Some of the vehicles on the road today are veritable toxic dumps on wheels. And many drivers are exposed to these chemicals through inhalation and contact with dust every day.

In case you missed last year's report, Ecology Center found the most toxic vehicles were the Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo, Scion xB 5dr and the Kia Rio. The least toxic vehicles were the Chevy Cobalt, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Odyssey and the Volvo V50.

Next Tuesday -- July 22 -- Ecology Center will release its second annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and child car seats, and if you're thinking of buying a new car anytime soon, you'll want to check it out. The guide will be posted at www.healthycar.org a little after midnight on the 22nd.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); Scott Doggett July 17, 2008, 1:39 PM
Categories:: Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Emissions, Fiat, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Legislation, Lexus, MINI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opinion, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Saab, Smart, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

July 12, 2008

A Little Knowledge of Transmissions Can Save You Big Bucks at the Pump

All images click to enlarge.

By Robert E. Calem, Contributor

Choosing a fuel-efficient automobile was a whole lot simpler 30 years ago, the last time the U.S. was in the throes of a gasoline price crisis. It was often as simple as buying a small vehicle with a manual transmission.

Today, with gas prices soaring to new record highs almost weekly, finding fuel economy means navigating an almost bewildering selection of vehicles. Even enormous SUVs can qualify if they come equipped with gasoline-electric hybrid drive systems.

Behind this tremendous hike in choices -- to a fairly significant extent, experts say -- has been a concomitant increase in the variety of transmissions.

Whereas in the 1970s there were only four- and five-speed manual transmissions and three- and four-speed automatic transmissions, now there are six-speed manual, six-, seven- and eight-speed automatic, six- and seven-speed "dual-clutch" automatic-manual, and continuously variable transmissions.

The result: more efficient engine operation and higher fuel economy in every car, whether it's a high-performance Porsche Carrera or a modest Volkswagen Jetta.

But there are important differences among these sophisticated transmissions, including in how much they contribute to better fuel efficiency. Knowing those differences may help you the next time you're in the market for a new car.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); Scott Doggett July 12, 2008, 12:53 AM
Categories:: Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, Fuels & Technologies, General Motors, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Smart, Subaru

July 8, 2008

London Mayor Scraps Plan To Raise City's Controversial Congestion Charge

London Mayor Boris Johnson announced today that he has scrapped the city's proposed Â£25 ($49.32) congestion charge for the most polluting vehicles.

Former mayor Ken Livingstone had planned to raise the daily tax from Â£8 ($15.78) to Â£25 in October, prompting Porsche to bring a legal challenge.

Under the plans, cars that emitted less than 120 grams per kilometer of carbon dioxide would have entered the zone for free. One study said the plan would encourage smaller vehicles to enter the zone, increasing congestion and pollution.

Johnson said abandoning the proposal would save London's transportation department Â£10 million ($19.73 million) earmarked for the scheme. He said his decision was in keeping with his aim to achieve a "fairer and more effective" congestion charge.

Livingstone told reporters the decision was a further blow to the efforts of many in London to tackle climate change and improve the environment.

Andy Goss, managing director of Porsche Cars Great Britain, said in a statement that "the charge was clearly unfair and was actually going to increase emissions in London."

A court ordered the transportation department to pay Porsche's six-figure legal costs.

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett July 8, 2008, 10:16 AM
Categories:: Courts, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Porsche, Transportation Alternatives

July 1, 2008

Automakers Say Federal Fuel Economy Rules Could Leave 82,000 Unemployed

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

A lobbying group for 10 major automakers including Detroit's Big Three, Toyota and Daimler urged federal regulators today to dramatically water down its proposal to hike fuel efficiency standards or run the risk of costing 82,000 autoworkers their jobs and the U.S. economy tens of billions of dollars.

In a thousand-page document filed today by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the automakers condemned the April 22 proposal by the U.S. Transportation Department that would boost fuel economy requirements to a fleetwide average of 31.6 miles per gallon by the 2015 model year.

That average includes 35.7 mpg for passenger cars and 28.6 mpg for light trucks. The nation's new passenger cars currently are required to meet a fleet average of 27.5 mpg, while the light-truck fleet - generally encompassing port utility vehicles, pickup trucks and vans - must hit a target average of 22.5 mpg.

"This goes beyond what is technologically feasible and economically practical," the automakers said. "It would require manufacturers to expend resources at a pace that is excessive given the fact that the auto industry is already under economic stress."

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); Scott Doggett July 1, 2008, 1:31 PM
Categories:: BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Courts, Daimler, Dodge, Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, Fuels & Technologies, General Motors, Legislation, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen

March 17, 2008

Porsche Says It Won't Survive European CO2 Rules

CO2 penalties on premium vehicles would kill company, Porsche says.

Automakers are notorious for screaming "can't do!" whenever new emissions, safety and/or fuel economy regulations are imposed, and then â€“ as economics overtake inertia â€“ figuring out ways to do what they'd said was impossible.

Some day, of course, the tipping point will be reached and they will be asked, or told, to do what turns out to really be impossible.

If we knew when that would happen, we'd be out playing the futures market instead of sitting behind this computer keyboard.

But Porsche apparently believes it does know when, and says that when is now.

The German performance car maker's manager for energy and environment has said in an interview with Automotive News Europe that new carbon-dioxide reduction goals being proposed by the European Commission are impossible for his company to achieve if it is to remain Porsche.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (3); John O'Dell March 17, 2008, 2:30 PM
Categories:: Emissions, Hybrid, Porsche

January 15, 2008

Green Racing Challenge To Debut in American Le Mans

Challenge wants to encourage more cars like Audi's clean-diesel racer.

DETROIT -- The American Le Mans Series, already a showcase for diesel power and ethanol-blend fuel, will inaugurate a "Green Racing Challenge" this year encouraging automakers to put developing environmental and fuel economy technologies to the test on the track.

Scott Atherton, ALMS chief executive, said at a press conference at the Detroit auto show that the series has formed a green racing coalition with the federal Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Society of Automotive Engineers International, to develop criteria for the Challenge.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell January 15, 2008, 9:45 AM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, Audi, Auto Shows, Biofuels, Diesel, Ford, General Motors, Hybrid, Mazda, Plug-ins and Electric, Porsche

January 7, 2008

Panamera Hybrid To Enter a Growing Luxe Market

Egads! First there were only the econobox models: Honda's two-seat Insight and the first-generation Toyota Prius. Now there are more than half-a-dozen hybrid sedans and SUVs and more coming.

Even the luxury market is becoming crowded, giving dual meaning to the term "green car."

Toyota's Lexus brand kicked off the luxe hybrid segment with its Lexus RX 400h crossover SUV...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell January 7, 2008, 5:00 PM
Categories:: Audi, BMW, Fisker, Hybrid, Lexus, Porsche

January 3, 2008

Year-End SUV, Large Car Sales Soared in France and Spain as Buyers Rushed To Avoid CO2 Taxes

It's not just us!

Analysts at economic consulting powerhouse Global Insight report that new emissions- and fuel economy-based automotive tax programs that began January 1 in France and Spain spurred "panic" buying of big cars in both nations during December.

Global Insight reports that in France, December sales of Mercedes-Benz cars soared by 69.9 percent; BMW sales jumped 38.4 percent and Audi sales rose 25 percent.

In Spain, the rush was for sport-utility vehicles. Sales of SUVs jumped 40.7 percent during the last month of the year, in advance of imposition of what the Spanish call, to Porsche's delight we expect, "el impuesto Cayenne," or the Cayenne tax...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell January 3, 2008, 1:27 PM
Categories:: Porsche, Tax Incentives

$30.3 Million Fine Gives CAFE Fine Crown to Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz is counting on its new clean diesel engines to help boost sales in a U.S. market suddenly consumed by fuel economy concerns.

But the German luxury carmaker could get another big benefit from diesel sales here: the increased mileage diesel cars and trucks deliver could save it millions of dollars a year in the fines it regularly pays for exceeding the federal CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standard.

For 2006, the most recent figures available, Mercedes – through its then-parent DaimlerChrysler -- paid a record $30.3 million in CAFE fines, according to data posted recently by the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency.

As we reported previously, the record for the highest annual fine had been held by BWW of North America, which paid $27.9 million in 2001 (breaking its own record of $27.3 million set in 2000).

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); John O'Dell January 3, 2008, 6:40 AM
Categories:: BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Legislation, Porsche, Volkswagen, Volvo

November 15, 2007

LA Auto Show: Hybrid Systems Help Cut SUVs' Thirst

If you’ve ever looked upon an XXL SUV and wondered what kind of person would drive such a gas hog in the face of An Inconvenient Truth, you’re not alone. General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz says many owners of the Cadillac of urban assault vehicles — the Escalade — are wondering the same thing.

“Many of them are in show business or sports and they are starting to get leery of their public image of driving around in a vehicle that manifestly consumes a lot of fuel,” he told Green Car Advisor on the first day of the LA Auto Show. GM’s response: The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Or as Lutz put it, “guilt-free Escalade driving.”

Never mind that the Escalade Hybrid might only get 19 miles per gallon. And never mind that its price — at least $60,000, but otherwise unspecified — is a lot of money for a vehicle that’s unlikely to match any of the muy macho, mountain-conquering moves common to sport-ute commercials.

What really matters is that this Escalade model will bear “H Y B R I D” stickers across both sets of side doors and sport GM’s green “H” badges in multiple locations, which should make image-conscious celebrity owners feel better about themselves.

Cadillac isn't alone in worrying about image. Engineers at Chrysler, Dodge and Porsche also are working hard to boost the fuel economy of some of their petrol-slurping machines.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell November 15, 2007, 1:50 PM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Chrysler, General Motors, Hybrid, Porsche

November 13, 2007

A Green Preview of the LA Auto Show

Production version of Honda FCX concept (above) will be unveiled at the LA Show

Although environmental transportation isn't a central theme of this year's Los Angeles auto show, there's still a touch of green to be found among the displays at the LA Convention Center.

Green used to be a big thing for the West Coast's premier auto show, but that was before environmental issues became part of just about every auto show on the calendar.

From Detroit to Tokyo, these days they all have a green component, ranging from the unveiling of concepts that explore things like plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and the hydrogen future to the introduction of production models that give us the newest in gas-electric hybrids and alternative fuels such as diesel and ethanol.

In LA this year, events will include an announcement Thursday morning of the Green Car of the Year award winner. Nominees for the award, sponsored by the Green Car Journal magazine, all are hybrids this year, and three are from General Motors: The Chevrolet Malibu sedan, Saturn Aura sedan and Tahoe SUV hybrids. The other finalists are the Mazda Tribute SUV hybrid and the Nissan Altima sedan hybrid.

As the 2007 show prepares to open its doors this week, for a two-day media preview Wednesday and Thursday and to the general public Friday evening for a 10-day run, here's a look at what to expect.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell November 13, 2007, 2:54 PM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Diesel, Ford, Fuel Cell, General Motors, Honda, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

September 27, 2007

CAFE Fines No Deterent To Some Luxury Brands

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are neck and neck in paying fines for violating U.S. fuel economy standards. Each of the German luxury carmakers has paid more than $200 million in fines since 1983.

There’s CAFE, the corporate average fuel economy requirement that most major automakers try to meet each year, and then there are CAFE fines.

CAFE works at least a little—the National Academy of Sciences found that it cut oil consumption in 2002 by 2.8 million barrels a day and suggests that overall savings can be measured in billions of barrels. But the fines, which have not been raised in a decade, don’t seem to be having much impact in the fuel economy drive, especially on German carmakers.

In 2005, the last year for which the data is available, BMW, DaimlerChrysler—mostly its Mercedes-Benz unit -- Volkswagen, Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati and Spyker all paid CAFE fines — the total was $25.2 million. DaimlerChrysler, at $16.9 million, BMW, at $3 million, and VW, at $1.1 million, accounted for 90 percent.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); John O'Dell September 27, 2007, 3:00 AM
Categories:: BMW, Daimler, Legislation, Porsche, Volkswagen

September 10, 2007

Green Scene at Frankfurt Auto Show

Although there's plenty of development work on alternative fuels and power plants going on in U.S. automakers’ R&D labs, the industry is consumed these days with fixing its collective financial woes and there's not much noise being made about advancing green technology. Not in the U.S., anyhow.

We likely won't hear too much about what's close to being market ready until the carmakers and the UAW complete their ongoing master contract negotiations and possibly not until the hype around January's Detroit auto show begins.

But Asian and European car companies, including European subsidiaries of both Ford and GM, are stepping in to fill the environmental void, with a spate of clean diesels and gas-electric hybrids in the works. A lot of green goodies will be shown off at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, which begins a two-day press preview on Tuesday.

Here's a look at what's on tap.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell September 10, 2007, 8:00 AM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, Audi, BMW, Diesel, Hybrid, Hyundai, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Volvo