AutoblogGreen

Although it's unlikely that this will have a huge impact, the idea seems original and could greatly improve taxi operators' cash flow: A new free website has been created for the UK where you can book a taxi that would otherwise run empty. Consider that many trips taxis take are empty, adding come coordination to the chaos might save quite a number of "wasted" miles, for instance when taxis go to the airport to wait for passengers or for prearranged passenger pick-ups. The website puts drivers of those empty taxis and potential clients in contact so the cabs don't run empty and the rider saves a few pounds on the fare. While an interesting idea, the website doesn't seem to be not working right now.

[Source: Auto Plus]

Volkswagen is introducing a new 160hp version of its 1.4-liter TFSI engine. This engine and the 122hp version are replacing VW's 1.6 FSI and 2.0 FSI engines which produced 115 and 150hp, respectively. This change in the engine lineup will start in the Golf Plus, Jetta and Golf Variant versions.

As we mentioned before, Volkswagen is dropping its direct-injection diesel technology (pump-injection), first used two decades ago, and will join the rest of automakers in using common-rail injection technology for its diesel drivelines. This new 2.0 HDi dCi CDi CDTi TDI is already Euro 5 compliant. Although it was announced as coming in the new Golf VI, Germans can already buy the 2.0 TDI mated to the Jetta and Golf Variant (pictured above) and, later, in the Golf Plus. Although power remains unchanged from the old 2.0-liter at 140hp and fuel consumption is kept at 5.5 l/km (43mpg U.S.), CO₂ emissions are down to 143 grams of CO₂ per km and torque improves up to 320 Nm (236 lb-ft).

[Source: Auto News]

In a brief press release (which you can find pasted after the jump) Bosch and Samsung have confirmed they have received the green light from German authorities to work on their project to produce lithium-ion batteries. The joint venture, called SB LiMotive Co. Ltd., will start work next month. Their plan is to produce "highly efficient lithium-ion batteries customized to automotive requirements and to market them worldwide from 2011." As we mentioned before, Samsung SDI has been producing lithium cells for consumer electronics and power tools while Bosch has expertise in the power electronics and battery management systems. Bosch, especially, has big dreams.

[Source: Bosch/Samsung]

China has produced its first hybrid electric-diesel locomotive, the JT56ACe. The high powered diesel-electric model was jointly manufactured by CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. (DLoco) and USA-based Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc., (EMD, formerly a GM company). It's got a 6,000 hp diesel engine and its manufacturers claim that it's the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly locomotive in the world. It features dual isolated driver's cabins, low exhaust emissions, electronic fuel injection, AC traction drive system, microcomputer control system. The JT56ACe can pull up to 5000 tons (metric) with a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75mph). EMD and CNR have agreed to build 300 of these locomotives for the Chinese Ministry of Railways.

[Source: EMD]

Click on picture for high-resolution picture

One of Europe's sexiest sedans, the Peugeot 407, has gotten a mid-life boost. Besides some aesthetic tweaks, Peugeot has updated the 2.0-liter HDi 140 engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox which develops 140hp - an increase of 4hp over the previous HDi 136. It also benefits from lower fuel consumption, at 49.5 mpg imperial (41 mpg U.S. or 5.7 l/100 km) and CO₂ emissions have been reduced to 150 g/km. It also gets a Diesel Particulate Filter (nicknamed FAP at Peugeot) as standard. The FAP is also available on the 1.6-liter 110hp base diesel model. Two additional diesels, a 170hp and a V6, remain available. All PSA diesel engines built after 1998 are certified to use biodiesel blends up to 30 percent. For flex-fuel lovers, Peugeot is offering a new 2.0-litre 'Bioflex' engine that can burn E85 fuel starting in November. Full UK press release after the jump.



[Source: Peugeot]

Canadian-based train manufacturer Bombardier announced two contracts to supply hybrid locomotives in North-America. According to Bombardier, these two will be the first deliveries of such technology, which uses diesel and/or electricity to power the locomotives. The contracts were signed with the New Jersey Transit Corporation (26 units) and Montréal's Agence Metropolitaine de Transport (20 units). The locomotives are to be built in Bombardier's manufacturing facilities in Germany and Poland and delivery is expected in 2011. If the locomotives are proven to be successful, NJ Transit (North-America's third largest mass transit system) expects to order 37 additional units. Likewise, Montréal's AMT (second's largest) could order 10 more locomotives.

[Source: Bombarider, Le Figaro]

One of Japan's largest sake manufacturers, Gekkeikan, has announced the development of a new "super yeast" able to produce cellulosic ethanol from non-edible parts of plants, such as paddy straw and chaff. The super yeast that produces alcohol was created with genetic engineering, by integrating koji mold genes that produce cellulolytic enzymes into sake yeast. These enzymes become densely displayed on the surfaces of the yeast cells. Since this super yeast has the functions of the standard koji mold, it achieves one-step production of ethanol from pretreated cellulose. The company claims the whole process is completed with a new easier pre-treatment at high temperature and pressure, which saves energy and uses insignificant chemical components.

[Source: Japan for Sustainability]

Next time you're in Japan, feel free to step into a velotaxi - those rickshaw-like vehicles which have become popular in some city centers - and calculate how much CO₂ you saved by reading your receipt. The new receipts, which are being already provided on 17 vehicles in Tokyo and three in Kyoto, show the amount of carbon a regular car would have produced along the route just taken, if the user had chosen an ICE engine vehicle that produces 230 grams of CO₂ per km instead of a human-powered vehicle. As a side benefit, velotaxis are allowed in pedestrian areas where regular cars (or some weird hybrids) would never be allowed and produce no pollution and no noise. Using the 230 number seems a bit steep for the comparison, doesn't it?

[Source: Japan for Sustainability]

Spain was one of the first countries to tax cars, at least when they're purchased, depending on their CO₂ emission levels. What's good for four wheels is good for two, apparently, and a very similar tax system has been adopted for motorbikes, which will be put into effect at the start of 2009. This means that the amount of tax paid when a buyer registers a two-wheeler, called "Impuesto de matriculación," will be as follows:

• Two-wheelers that emit less than 80 g/km of CO₂ will be exempt from the registration tax.
• Two-wheelers that emit between 80 and 100 g/km of CO₂ will pay 4.75 percent registration tax.
• Two-wheelers that emit between 100 and 120 g/km of CO₂ will pay 9.75 percent registration tax.
• And, finally, bikes that emit over 120 g/km of CO₂ or have more than 100hp will pay 14.75 percent registration tax.

[Source: Europa Press via Econoticias]

We heard that MDI, the creators of the AirCar - excuse us, the "Compressed Air Vehicle" - broke off all commercial relations with Miguel Celades, who had been carrying its commercial operations for a while. We tried multiple times to contact Mr. Celades for further explanations, but couldn't. So, we turned to MDI's new webpage and other sources for the information.

The good news is that MDI is still working on their vehicle and has taken some steps to get it on the road. The French environmental website Ecolo-Trader has unveiled a picture of the first MiniCAT model with regular car plates, which should mean it's road-worthy and has received all the legal requirements from the French Ministry of Industry. MDI's MiniCAT has an range of 80 km while running exclusively with compressed air and, thanks to a system which heats compressed air (using fuel), the range can be extended even further. According to the website, which refers to the Southern France newspaper, MDI is planning a second factory to increase output of the MiniCAT. The model will be on display for the Paris Motor Show and on sale in France at the beginning of 2009.

[Source: Ecolo-Trader]