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Georgia Electric-Car Sales Plummet After Incentive Replaced By Tax

So, what are your thoughts on this?

This week, Tony, Mark and Russell take on: Ain’t no such thing as clean diesel http://europe.autonews.com/article/20151102/COPY/311029902/vw-porsche-audi-3-0-liter-diesels-have-defeat-devices-epa-says?cciid=email-autonews-blast VW fixes diesel…prices…sort of http://www.hybridcars.com/volkswagen-offers-price-guaranty-on-used-diesel-vehicles-to-dealers/ Honda’s dream or merely an illusion? http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100699_hondas-electric-four-motor-cr-z-prototype-we-drive-it Nissan to deploy FCvs around 2020 http://www.autonews.com/article/20151102/OEM05/151039976/ev-advocate-ghosn-eyes-fuel-cell-entry-around-2020 Global plug-in sales hit an all time high http://www.hybridcars.com/plug-in-sales-crest-to-all-time-record-in-september/ Tony’s 2M topic: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100750_most-of-fiat-chryslers-u-s-vehicles-will-be-hybrid-by-2025-ceo-says Mark’s 2M topic: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/01/chevy-volt-nissan-leaf-all-electric-miles/#slide-3647072...

OK, most of this story would be best discussed in FHOP but I found one part interesting for another reason. Could it be foreshadowing issues the US will have to address in its transportation future?

The problem was, according to SIGAR, is that there was "no indication" the Task Force studied the viability of the project — or considered the significant obstacles it faced — before construction began.

A feasibility study "might have noted" that Afghanistan lacks the distribution infrastructure to make such a market viable — and that converting cars from gasoline to CNG would be cost-prohibitive for most Afghans, SIGAR said.

U.S. Spent $43 Million on Afghanistan Gas Station: Watchdog Report - NBC News

Well now I've got to do more research. Do any of our UK members have any direct observations?

Bob Wilson

EU Regulators Dilute New Emission Rules To Allow 2.1 Times The Legal Limits Until 2020

Only the Netherlands voted against, all other 27 countries aligned with this "gift" to the automakers that made their cars emit above limits, and are allowed to persist.
Triumph of economics over health. Unfair.

Malaysian review of the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Mondeo 2.0L EcoBoost and the Peugeot 508 GT Diesel. There's a bonus vehicle if you watch the whole thing.




Conversion:

L/100km = 100/(km/L)
US mpg = 235.21/(L/100km)

Long Term Review: 10,000 Miles In My Mitsubishi iMiEV | Inside EVs

This week Tony, Paul and Russell take on… Consumer Reports downgrades Tesla reliability… http://www.hybridcars.com/consumer-reports-downgrades-tesla-model-s-to-below-average-reliability/1 Bob Lutz reared up on his hind legs this week in a desperate and rather flaccid attempt to regain the relevancy he never really had… http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a26859/bob-lutz-tesla/ Only 16%? http://www.hybridcars.com/kbb-used-volkswagen-tdi-values-drop-16-percent/?utm_content=buffer9e2f7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer Speaking of VW http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100229_epa-will-test-new-car-emissions-on-the-road-after-vw-scandal?fbfanpage&utm_content=buffer865e2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer BEV versus hybrid http://www.theicct.org/blogs/staff/US-cities-where-electric-vehicles-make-sense Possible last minute entry? […]

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First off, I'm conflicted about this report because there is a seasonal softening of gas prices in the fall. Gas prices typically reach a low point around Thanksgiving/Christmas until around February when they rise again. But here it is again: Gas Prices Shrink as Inventory Swells | TheDetroitBureau.com

Study Shows Nissan LEAF Emits Less CO2 Than Prius Plugin and Volt In Many U.S. Markets - Torque News

Apparently charging at night produces more CO2 due to heavy reliance on coal.

A bit depressing, but a dose of cold reality. This is 2013 data. I hope it is ground zero and that 2014 data will at least register at least a twitch of the needle.
Fact #896: October 26, 2015 More than 80% of Transportation Energy Use is Highway Fuel Use | Department of Energy

Source: AD #1727 – Tesla Model S Misses Cut, Ferrari’s Value, LG Chem Unhappy With GM – Autoline Daily


I remember an article that claims at $125/kWhr is the break-even point for when an EV reaches parity with an engine. Perhaps someone has a reference to articles trading off battery cost vs engine cars?

Bob Wilson

This week, Russell, Tony, Evan and Mark work over Tesla’s new 7.0 operating system, Toyota’s love for all things hydrogen and much more. Yes, we do think you’re number one.

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I don't know why they're going with 2050, I think 2030 is doable if not sooner! I don't see why all cars today aren't hybrids. Even with just a few MPG saved it's better than not. But I guess too many die hard combustion engine fans out there still. 2050 will be a new generation of car buyers that have never know that there wasn't a hybrid option available. By 2050 most of us currently on this forum will either be in diapers again or dead.

Toyota Plans To Stop Selling Traditional Gasoline Cars By 2050

Oct. 14, 2015

Toyota is committed to complying with applicable laws and regulations, and does not engage in vehicle emissions testing manipulation. Customers can continue to drive our vehicles with peace of mind. Our approach continues to be the development of low emission systems that respond rapidly to ever-changing global environmental requirements.

Announced today:

MEB electric toolkit
An MEB electric toolkit for future use in compact segment vehicles is to be developed based on the experience gained with existing vehicle architectures. This will be a multi-brand toolkit suitable for both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles and will thus leverage synergies from other electric vehicle projects in the Group. The standardized system will be designed for all body structures and vehicle types, thus allowing particularly emotional vehicle concepts, and will enable an all-electric range of 250 to 500 kilometers.

Phaeton redefined – the future is electric
The Volkswagen Phaeton has embodied the brand's technological competence and brand ambition from the first generation onward. The future generation of the Phaeton will once again be the flagship for the brand's profile over the next decade. In light of this, the Board of Management redefined the current project. The specification features a pure electric...

I'm not surprised. I'm sure VW is not the only company using "creative accounting" to pass the tests. In the past Volvo, GM, Honda, and Ford were caught by the EPA, and I think they're about to get caught again.

I WAS surprised to learn hybrids are harder to pass because when the engine is off, the catalytic converter cools & stops neutralizing the NOx and CO.

"Despite the cloud cast by the Volkswagen scandal, automakers are proposing that they be allowed a 70 percent increase in the nitrogen oxides their cars emit..... .....The automakers are essentially conceding what outside groups have said for some time — that the industry cannot meet pollution regulations when cars are taken out of testing laboratories."...

First and foremost, big thanks to Tom Stangl and Bruce Nowrocki for being on the show this week, our first ever, crowdsourced panelists. As usual, thanks as well to all our regular, hard working panelists, Patrick, Paul, Mark and our special panelists tackle… Porsche picks Apple CarPlay over Android Auto http://www.ibtimes.com/porsche-picks-apple-carplay-over-android-auto-due-privacy-concerns-google-data-2128769 Toyota wants the Thai […]

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More Than 1,000 People Want 2016 Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Should be very interesting to see how people like the Mirai. And additionally, how reliable the hydrogen filling stations will be. Hope we see some scenarios where 3-6+ people need to fill up at the same time.

Well done!!!

It is the first time I've seen a Prius commercial that didn't make me want to hang my head in shame!

THANK YOU TOYOTA!

Bob Wilson

ps. Some pricks are posting the YouTube with false claims about 'dog abuse'. Screw them! It is a laughing out loud funny commercial and the best I've ever seen.