European Airspace Reopens Today as Ash Levels Allow

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2010-04-20 12:29
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European Airspace Reopens Today as Ash Levels Allow

BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 20, 2010 (ENS) - EU transport ministers have agreed to gradually lift flight restrictions beginning this morning without waiting for the cloud of ash from a volcano in Iceland to disperse completely. Air traffic has ground to a halt across northern Europe since the Eyjafjallajokull volcano last week began belching a cloud of ash kilometers into the atmosphere.

"From tomorrow morning we should see more planes flying," EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas told reporters following a video conference with EU transport ministers.

Solar Powered Plane Completes First Test Flight

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Thu, 2010-04-08 22:20
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Solar Powered Plane Completes First Test Flight

In yesterday's maiden test flight, a Swiss-built solar airplane made history during its hour long flight.
Solar Impulse

Solar Impulse, the solar powered plane that a Swiss team hopes to fly around the world, soared to an altitude of 5,500 feet during its 1 ½ hour test flight yesterday. After touching back down at a military airfield, project leader Betrand Piccard and his team had a champagne celebration to mark the historic event. After collecting data from this and future test flights, the team plans to rebuild the Solar Impulse and fly around the world in 2012.

Dirty Bunker Fuel Banned for Large Ships in U.S., Canadian Waters

Submitted by ecofactory on Mon, 2010-03-29 12:12
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Dirty Bunker Fuel Banned for Large Ships in U.S., Canadian Waters

LONDON, UK, March 29, 2020 (ENS) - The international body governing the shipping industry has approved rules to limit air pollution from large ships in most U.S. and Canadian waters. The rules will apply to container and cargo ships, oil tankers, and large cruise ships flying any and all flags.

UK Biofuel Subsidy Cancellation Leaves Thousands with Wasted Investment

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Wed, 2010-02-10 17:33
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UK Biofuel Subsidy Cancellation Leaves Thousands with Wasted Investment

A major distributor of Biofuel in Europe will cease operations after the British government repeals its subsidy.
Abandoned green car. Picture by Sean McGrath of Flickr

Following the British Government's decision to cancel their subsidy of biofuel in April, one of the largest distributors of the specialty fuel announced that they would cease to do so. Morrisons, a popular supermarket chain that offers the B30 biofuel blend, announced that it will be closing down distribution of all biofuel. The London Times reports that Morrisons is also considering dropping their 85% ethanol blend.

Tesla to Discontinue Production of All-Electric Roadster

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Mon, 2010-02-01 18:19
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Tesla to Discontinue Production of All-Electric Roadster

In papers filed with the SEC concerning their upcoming IPO, Tesla Motors announced they will discontinue production of their only vehicle.
Tesla to discontinue the Roadster

In a filing with the Security and Exchanges commission last week, California start-up Tesla Motors announced that it would be discontinuing production of its all-electric Roadster sports car sometime next year. The $100,000 plus two seater is Tesla's only production model, which Tesla says it will not revisit until at least 2013. Resources once used to create the Roadster are expected to be retooled for use in the the production version of the Model S, an all-electric luxury car expected to cost in excess of $50,000.

Tesla Founder may have New Home at Volkswagen

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Fri, 2010-01-15 18:56
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Tesla Founder may have New Home at Volkswagen

Former Tesla Motors founder Martin Eberhard may be working with Volkswagen to develop their electric car.

Rumors from Greentech Media say that Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard may have found a new job working for Volkswagen. The German company, which displayed an electric super car concept in the Audi E-Tron, has a storied history with electric cars. Months ago, Audi CEO Johan de Nysschen publicly called electric cars "a car for idiots" — a statement that seemed to clash with the unveiling of the all-electric E-Tron.

Mixed feelings on the Obama Administration's fuel efficiency "double-dip" rule

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Wed, 2009-11-11 15:28
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Mixed feelings on the Obama Administration's fuel efficiency "double-dip" rule

The Obama administration's proposed fuel efficiency law would give manufacturers of electric vehicles "fuel efficiency" credits, upsetting environmental groups and proponents of other alternative transportation fuels.
President Obama

In the face of the looming fleet fuel efficiency standards, the Obama administration seems to be tossing a life preserver to struggling automakers trying to hit an average fuel economy of 30.2 MPG. President Obama is proposing that all-electric vehicles count double toward vehicle fuel efficiency standards. This means that mass-producing an electric vehicle will create strong outlier that will tug the manufacturer's average fleet fuel efficiency above government standards.

Electric Car Startup to Reopen Shuttered GM Plant

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Thu, 2009-10-29 10:04
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Electric Car Startup to Reopen Shuttered GM Plant

Vice President Joe Biden helped start celebrations at a Wilmington, Deleware manufacturing plant that Fisker plans to use to make plug-in hybrids.
Biden at Fisker Plant Celebration

Fisker Automotive held a giant rally to celebrate the reopening of the Boxwood plant in Wilmington, Delaware. This plant, which was one of a few GM plants that was built specifically to export cars, falls in line with Fisker's business model of exporting more than half the cars they produce. Under GM, the Boxwood plant was used to build the Opel GT, which was translated into the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters for the North American market.

Toyota Prius Tops 2010 Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide

Submitted by ecofactory on Fri, 2009-10-16 16:21
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Toyota Prius Tops 2010 Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide

WASHINGTON, DC, October 16, 2009 (ENS) – The Toyota Prius hybrid leads the 2010 model cars in fuel efficiency with 51 miles per gallon on the highway and 48 mpg in city driving conditions, according to the latest federal government ratings for fuel efficiency.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy Thursday unveiled the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, which gives consumers information about estimated fuel costs and mileage standards for model year 2010 vehicles.

Global Aviation Industry Vows to Halve CO2 Emissions By 2050

Submitted by ecofactory on Fri, 2009-10-16 16:18
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Global Aviation Industry Vows to Halve CO2 Emissions By 2050

NEW YORK, New York, October 16, 2009 (ENS) - To help limit climate change, the international air transport industry has made a commitment to cut its carbon emissions in half by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

In addition, the airlines have pledged to improve fuel efficiency by an average of 1.5 percent annually to 2020 and stabilize carbon emissions with carbon-neutral growth from 2020.