Mobile Emissions Today articles from January 2007

Mobile Emissions Today archives from January 2007

Report: Maryland emissions levels unsafe.(Industry Report)
January 2, 2007... Maryland residents breathe unsafe levels of cancer-producing toxins from car emissions, according to report released last week by nonprofit advocacy group Environment Maryland. The report titled Cars and Cancer: Toxic Pollution from Cars...

New Mexico Governor's order includes clean fuel.(Industry Report)
January 2, 2007... New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson last week signed an executive order specifying greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies. The order includes mandating that state vehicles use mainly clean, renewable fuels and proposes a one-time tax...

UK University to open center dedicated to green vehicle development.(International Report)(Brief article)
January 2, 2007... The UK's University of Hertfordshire will soon open the Sustainable Energy Technologies Center, aimed at creating environmentally-friendly vehicles. The university has also entered into a Knowledge Transfer Project with ITM Power to...

DoD awards additional $1 million to O2Diesel.(Industry Report)
January 3, 2007... The US Department of Defense has awarded O2Diesel Corporation an additional $1 million in funding to continue development of a cleaner-burning alternative diesel fuel. O2Diesel has been under contract to develop a new fuel for the DoD made...

Cleaner diesel law takes effect.(Industry Report)(Brief article)
January 3, 2007... Federal regulations took effect Monday mandating cleaner diesel engines in new US trucks and school buses. The new engines, in combination with low-sulfur diesel fuel that began selling nationally in Oct., will reduce particulate emissions...

Norway's government to offset carbon emissions.(International Report)
January 3, 2007... Norway plans to offset greenhouse gases caused by traveling politicians by purchasing emissions quotas to combat global warming. "The government has decided that when state employees travel by plane abroad, we will buy quotas for the...

Indiana counties end vehicle emissions inspections.(Industry Report)
January 4, 2007... Indiana's Clark and Floyd counties have ended their vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance programs. The testing is no longer needed for the counties to stay in compliance with federal ozone air quality standards, according to Gov....

Texas extends alternative emissions plans.(Industry Report)
January 4, 2007... The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has voted to extend for one year the expiration date of Alternative Emissions Reduction Plans in the Texas Low Emissions Diesel Program for one year, until Dec. 31 2007. The extension will...

DaimlerChrysler prepares new BLUETEC for debut.(Industry Report)
January 4, 2007... DaimlerChrysler will unveil a new BLUETEC concept diesel vehicle at the North American International Auto Show, to be held in Detroit Jan. 7-21 at the COBO Conference/Exhibition Center. According to the company, the Vision GL 420 BLUETEC...

Union of concerned scientists says Exxon misled public on global warming.(Industry Report)
January 5, 2007... Exxon Mobil Corp. gave $16 million to 43 ideological groups between 1998 and 2005 in an effort to mislead the public by discrediting the science behind global warming, the Union of Concerned Scientists said Wednesday. The report makes...

HyPower teams with Teletrips on vehicle emissions reductions.(Industry Report)
January 5, 2007... HyPower Fuel, Inc. announced this week a deal with Teletrips, a provider of vehicle emission reduction tracking services in the USA and Canada. Teletrips will work with HyPower to track vehicle emissions reductions achieved by using a...

Israel's Engineuity advancing hydrogen fuel system.(International Report)
January 5, 2007... Hydrogen solutions provider Engineuity of Israel has announced plans to develop a system that would power a car using hydrogen and steam distilled from reactions between air and water and metals such as magnesium or aluminum. The system...

Report: Japanese emissions increasing.(Industry Report)
January 8, 2007... Japan is at risk of falling well short of its Kyoto Protocol goals, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of the Environment. Fiscal 2005 combined discharges of all greenhouse gases having increased 8.1% from fiscal 1990 levels,...

UK council considers addressing vehicle emissions with parking fee.(Industry Report)
January 8, 2007... Owners of heavily polluting cars could be charged up to $385 for parking, according to proposals from south London's Lambeth Council. The council wants to charge the most polluting vehicles in the area the fee while greener cars such as...

UK Minister criticizes airlines on emissions.(Industry Report)
January 8, 2007... The UK Minister of the State for Climate Change Ian Pearson last week said major airlines refuse to take climate change seriously. According to Pearson, the budget airline Ryanair is "the irresponsible face of capitalism." "Like every...

Volkswagen unveils low-emission Polo BlueMotion.(Industry Report)
January 9, 2007... Volkswagen has released its Polo BlueMotion. First shown at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show, the vehicle averages 60 miles per gallon in the city and 73.5 miles per gallon on the highway. The subcompact hatchback emits 102 grams per kilometer of...

GM unveils electric concept car.(Industry Report)
January 9, 2007... General Motors Corp. unveiled a new concept electric car Sunday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Chevrolet Volt is designed to use little or no gasoline and produce little or no emissions, according to the...

Los Angeles port to test electric tractors.(Editorials, Asides & Reviews)
January 9, 2007... The South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Port of Los Angeles announced plans last week to test run electric tow tractors at the port. The zero-pollution vehicles would move containers from the docks to warehouses and could...

Air quality district division to push for stricter emissions rules.(Industry Report)
January 10, 2007... California's South Coast Air Quality Management District last week announced plans to create a division to seek tougher vehicle-emissions rules from state and federal regulators. Roughly 80% of southern California's smog is generated by...

Mazda to introduce hybrid tribute.(Industry Report)
January 10, 2007... Mazda plans to unveil a hybrid version of its Tribute by the middle of 2007. The Tribute HEV will feature the Tribute's 133 horsepower engine paired with a 70 kilowatt electric motor; the company expects the vehicle to deliver 75% better...

World bank supports natural gas conversion to reduce emissions in Mumbai.(International Report)
January 10, 2007... Converting diesel buses to compressed natural gas is the most effective policy to reduce emissions from passenger vehicles in Mumbai, India, according to a World Bank policy research paper. The conversion of 3,391 diesel buses to CNG would...

California Governor announces low carbon fuel standard.(Industry Report)
January 11, 2007... California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week announced a mandatory 10% reduction in carbon levels in motor vehicle fuels by 2020. In a State of the State address, Schwarzenegger announced a low carbon fuel standard to reduce greenhouse...

Honda displays fuel cell vehicle at auto show.(Industry Report)
January 11, 2007... Honda highlighted its fuel cell vehicle this week at the North American International Auto Show running in Detroit through Jan. 21. "The FCX Fuel Cell vehicle is fuel efficient with zero emissions and the only FCV on the road today," Honda...

Report: Canada and US States to follow California's lead.(Editorials, Asides & Reviews)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... All jurisdictions in Canada and the US will have carbon dioxide regulations in place by the end of the decade, to address global warming concerns, according to a report from CIBC World Markets. The report indicates the regions will follow...

Michigan politicians and auto execs fret over fuel efficiency ramifications.(Industry Report)
January 12, 2007... Michigan congressional members and auto industry officials are worried that a growing number of advocates, including some conservative Republicans, want to require automakers to dramatically improve fuel economy as a way to curb carbon dioxide...

UK welcomes EU's tough emissions reduction goal.(International Report)
January 12, 2007... The government of the United Kingdom said it welcomes the recently announced plan of the European Union to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sources, force true energy market competition and improve energy supply security. "The...

Daimler Chrysler disputes BCC global warming story.(International Report)
January 12, 2007... Company officials complained that an online article by BBC, the British news organization, took recent remarks by DaimlerChrysler Chief Economist Van Jolissaint about Europe's attitude on global warming out of context and misrepresented the...

Abbot aims to reduce fleet emissions with new program.(Industry Report)
January 16, 2007... Abbot, the health care giant based in Illinois, recently became the first company to sign on to PHH GreenFleet, a program designed to improve vehicle efficiency and reduce fuel consumption of commercial fleets. Reducing emissions from its...

EU attack on emissions may boost car prices and cut jobs.(International Report)
January 16, 2007... If plans desired by the European Commission are put in place, the price of gasoline-powered cars could soar over the next five years. Britain's Society of Motor Manufacturers said the plans threatened jobs in the car industry, particularly...

Welsh Investment Grant supports zero emissions vehicle producer.(International Report)
January 16, 2007... Recent Welsh Assembly Investment Grants include support for a new venture to produce electric powered vehicles aimed at buyers in urban areas where car-parking fees are waived for zero emission vehicles, or where free recharging is provided to...

Exxon meets with environmental groups on global warming.(Industry Report)
January 17, 2007... Exxon Mobil Corp. recently met with US environmental groups to discuss how the oil company can respond to global warming. The company organized the meeting with representatives from groups including environmental research group Worldwatch...

TerraPass program encourages carbon-neutral shipping.(Industry Report)(Brief article)
January 17, 2007... TerraPass and online transportation services marketplace uShip have created the TerraPass Certified Provider Program to accomplish carbon-neutral shipping. Through the program uShip calculates the monthly carbon emissions of enrolled...

UK Department of Transport encourages more HOV lanes.(International Report)(High Occupancy Vehicle lanes)(Brief article)
January 17, 2007... High Occupancy Vehicle lanes could become widespread across the UK following new guidance published by the Department of Transport. The lanes have already been piloted in several areas around the country, and the government is encouraging...

European Commission considers tougher emissions policy.(International Report)
January 18, 2007... The European Commission is considering an environmental policy mandating much stricter vehicle emission controls. The proposal would set a limit of 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer on new cars from 2012; each carmaker would be able...

UK's Barnet Council reduces fuel consumption and emissions.(International Report)(ChemEcol Diesel Fuel Combustion Technology)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... The UK's Barnet Council reduced fleet emissions by more than 100 tonnes in 14 months by changing the fuel technology used in its 265 commercial vehicles. The council's vehicles used ChemEcol Diesel Fuel Combustion Technology. The...

Bill would require reduction in fossil fuels.(Legislative)
January 18, 2007... Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont introduced legislation this week that would slash US greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works...

New BMW achieves lower emissions.(Industry Report)
January 19, 2007... The BMW 1 Series goes on sale in spring 2007 and includes the most fuel efficient production vehicle BMW has ever produced, according to the company. The BMW 118d achieves 60.1 miles per gallon and features an aluminum crankcase to save...

Dubai Municipality to develop emissions reduction program.(International Report)
January 19, 2007... The Dubai Municipality plans to develop a program to reduce the number of vehicles in Dubai City that produce illegal emission levels, according a report this week from Gulf News. The municipality may introduce random inspections as part of...

Survey: London residents support higher parking fee for gas guzzlers.(International Report)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... Residents in part of southwest London support a plan to charge the owners of the least fuel-efficient vehicles more for parking permits. Jaguars, Mercedes or 4x4s in Richmond would pay three times the normal parking fee under the program....

Judge delays California suit.(Industry Report)(Anthony Ishii)(Brief article)
January 22, 2007... In a Fresno, California US District Court last week, Judge Anthony Ishii agreed to delay trail in the auto industry's suit against the state for setting tougher fuel emissions standards than the federal government. Ishii postponed the suit...

Proposed Maryland bill would bring stricter emissions standards.(Industry Report)
January 22, 2007... The Maryland Senate and House of Delegates introduced a bill last week that would require cars made in model year 2011 and beyond to meet California emissions standards, the strictest in the country. A bill that would only take effect after...

Lanzou government encourages walking to reduce emissions.(International Report)
January 22, 2007... Zhang Jinliang, mayor of Lanzou, China, has asked civil servants to walk to work on days when the pollution level is very high. Lanzhou is considered one of the 10 most polluted cities in the world. To prevent the situation from...

EU divided on car emissions rules.(International Report)
January 23, 2007... Divisions emerged in the European Commission on Friday over plans to force car manufacturers to cut emissions of carbon dioxide. The EU's executive is due to decide this week on proposals from EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas; the...

New Mercedes achieves design for environmental standards.(Industry Report)
January 23, 2007... The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, launched globally Jan. 19, is the first car in its market segment to be awarded an International Organization for Standardization Environmental Certificate, according to DaimlerChrysler. The certification...

Hyundai diesel engine reduces emissions.(Industry Report)
January 23, 2007... Hyundai's first V6 diesel, the S-engine, features a BorgWarner turbocharger that is claimed to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. The electronically controlled variable turbine geometry BV50 turbocharger engine was developed in...

Ford unveils fuel cell hybrid electric plug-in vehicle.(Industry Report)
January 24, 2007... Ford Motor Company yesterday unveiled a fuel cell hybrid electric plug-in vehicle. The Ford Edge combines an onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium-ion batteries to deliver more than 41 miles per gallon with zero emissions. ...

Cleaner diesel Jetta unveiled.(Industry Report)(Volkswagen of America launches Jetta TDI 2.0-liter diesel )(Brief article)
January 24, 2007... Volkswagen of America recently unveiled its cleanest diesel yet for the US. The Jetta TDI 2.0-liter diesel meets the 50-state Environmental Protection Agency Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standard. The TDI is one of VW's first BLUETEC...

EU President supports CO2 emissions rule.(International Report)
January 24, 2007... European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso supports forcing carmakers to cut carbon dioxide emissions, EU officials said Tuesday. A supposed split among the EU executive forced a postponement of a decision by the commission earlier...

DOE announces solicitations for plug-in battery and E85 engine projects.(Industry Report)
January 26, 2007... The US Department of Energy announced this week it will issue $17 million in solicitations to improve automobile efficiency and reduce emissions. The funding will be offered as two separate solicitations, one for $14 million for research...

Nissan service to monitor and encourage environmentally-friendly driving.(Industry Report)
January 26, 2007... Nissan Motor Co. is creating a new telematics service called CARWINGS, designed to raise driver awareness of the impact of driving habits on vehicle fuel consumption. CARWINGS offers drivers a monthly fuel-efficiency ranking, assessed by...

Maryland considers 'clean air' bill.(Industry Report)
January 26, 2007... A Maryland state Senate committee began reviewing proposals Thursday for a "clean cars" bill to reduce emissions. The new emissions standards, backed by top lawmakers in Annapolis, would be tougher than those required by the federal...

Study: living close to a highway reduces lung capacity.(Editorials, Asides & Reviews)
January 29, 2007... Pollution from vehicles can cause permanent damage to children's lungs, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles. People who live within 500 meters of a highway grow up with significantly...

Maryland 'Clean Cars' regulation debated.(Industry Report)
January 29, 2007... Environmental groups and automakers on opposite sides of Maryland's "Clean Cars" regulation faced off at a state Senate hearing last Thursday. Proponents told lawmakers that the proposed rules would improve the health of Maryland residents...

California school district to usl low-emissions bus.(Industry Report)
January 29, 2007... California's Simi Valley Unified School District plans to replace one of its pre-1987 diesel engine school buses with a new low-emissions bus. The school board recently unanimously approved accepting grant funds from the Ventura County Air...

Porsche defends German carmakers.(International Report)
January 30, 2007... Plans by the European Commission to limit carbon dioxide emissions were an attack on German luxury carmakers, Porsche Chief Executive Wendelin Wiedeking said Friday. The European Commission has said it is committed to cutting vehicle...

Q Link to introduce CNG taxi fleet for UAE.(International Report)
January 30, 2007... Q Link and the International Energy Group will be introducing a fleet of green taxis to the United Arab Emirates this year. Q Link, a subsidiary of Al Qudra Holding, working with the International Energy Group, a subsidiary of the UAE...

Report: consumers increasingly interested in 'eco-insurance'.(International Report)(Brief article)
January 30, 2007... Growing demand for green financial products will lead to more and more motorists opting for eco-insurance products that offset a proportion of a car's emissions, according to Co-operative Insurance of the UK. "All the evidence points to...

EU uncertain when emissions legislation vote will occur.(International Report)
January 31, 2007... The European Union executive declined to give any new date for proposing legislation to limit carbon dioxide emissions from cars after it postponed a decision last week. "We are not driven by a day or two, or by a week or two, but by the...

Volvo bus recognized as commercial vehicle of the year in Finland.(International Report)
January 31, 2007... Transport trade magazine Ajolinja has named Volvo's 8700 LE bus the Commercial Vehicle of the Year in Finland. According to the magazine, the environmentally friendly bus is an important component of Helsinki's new rapid transit bus system....

3DM grants 2k Manufacturing license.(Industry Report)(3DM Worldwide)(Brief article)
January 31, 2007... 3DM Worldwide has granted 2k Manufacturing a license to produce commercial vehicle parts through its Powder Impression Moulding process. 3DM holds the intellectual property rights for the process that uses recycled plastics for the parts. ...