Gas 2.0

In partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency, UPS will begin testing a small fleet of hydraulic hybrid delivery trucks in the United States. The new vehicles can achieve 50-70% better fuel economy, a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and pay for their extra expense in less than 3 years.

UPS will field two hydraulic hybrids in Minneapolis, MN, in early 2009 and an additional five hydraulic hybrid trucks will be deployed later in 2009 and early 2010. Although this sounds like a tiny fleet, keep in mind that this is the largest scale commercial test of hydraulic hybrids ever conducted.

The UPS hybrid hydraulic truck is a standard-looking 24,000 pound package car, with an EPA-patented diesel series hydraulic hybrid drive attached to the rear axle.

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Buckypaper is a material composed of carbon nanotubes. It is 10 times lighter and over 500 times stronger than steel and the “buckytubes” that make it up are 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. It is predicted by futurists that this material will storm the auto and aviation industries.

One of the best ways to make transportation vehicles more energy efficient is to reduce their weight, so the commercialization of buckypaper promises lighter, super efficient and much stronger vehicles.

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Better Place, a company that builds electric-vehicle networks powered by renewable energy, is partnering with AGL and Macquarie to build wind-powered electric vehicle charging stations in Australia.

Victorian Premier John Brumby said, “The Victorian Government supports any initiative that will have positive outcomes in reducing emissions in the transport sector and welcomes this innovative approach to help make broad adoption of EVs in Australia possible.

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Fiat’s new concept buggy, the Bugster, with what I would call an Eco Green paint job, is going to be making its world debut at the Sao Paulo Motor show in Brazil between October 30th and November 10th.

The vehicle has been developed by the Italian firms’s automotive engineering division in Brazil and features a zero-emission electric engine.

Showcasing a body made out of renewable natural fibers, it’s no wonder Fiat chose environmentally ravaged Brazil, to show of it’s futuristic green legs.

Follow the jump for another photo.

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Chrysler has announced plans to launch its PeaPod electric car worldwide in 2010. The compact city EV will be available as a one-seater, a two-seater or a utility van, at prices starting from around $20,000.

Developed by Chrysler-owned Green Eco Mobility (GEM), the PeaPod is capable of travelling 40 miles on a single charge. According to the company’s innovation chief, Peter Arnell, this is more than enough for most daily commutes.

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The Des Moines Register reported the other day that Iowa’s ethanol plants contribute 15 Percent — 7.6 million metric tons out of a total of 52 million metric tons — of greenhouse-gas emissions found in the state’s new inventory of major manufacturers, businesses and power plants.

Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources found that the largest portion of the state’s overall emissions came from fermenting grain at the plants and not from burning natural gas or coal. In addition, burning biomass such as switchgrass at various industrial plants added another 0.13 million metric tons.

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I rolled my Toyota Yaris three times this morning after hitting a six-foot-high dirt embankment at highway speed. I crawled out with no more than a bump on my head, seat belt burn, and a massively stiff neck. So, for all you small car safety-doubters out there, I’ve now got personal experience to say otherwise.

Inevitably, whenever we post about small electric cars, funky three-wheelers, or any other small fuel-efficient vehicle here at Gas 2.0, we get typical responses along the lines of “It may get 60 mpg, but that thing’s a death trap,” or “It’s nice to drive electric, but would you trust that car to your family?”

After this morning’s shenanigans, I can unequivocally say “Yes. Yes I would trust my family to a small fuel-efficient car, and I’m miraculously alive and mostly uninjured… so no, it’s not a death trap.”

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The BMW Group is about to become the first manufacturer of premium automobiles to deploy a fleet of nearly 500 all electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic. Powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor and fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the vehicle will be nearly silent and emissions free.

The Mini E will have a range of about 150 miles and will initially be offered to select private and corporate customers in California, New York and New Jersey, but will first be given its world premiere at the LA Auto Show on November 19th and 20th, 2008.

As for its speed, BMW claims that it will offer acceleration to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds with a top speed that is electronically limited to 95 mph.

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After writing yesterday about the hoopla surrounding the alleged leaked pics of the 2010 Toyota Prius, Toyota has released a statement on its Open Road Blog confirming that these are indeed marketing shots of the 2010 Prius.

>>> view more pics of the 2010 Prius here

In a post on the Open Road Blog entitled “The Real Deal?” Toyota says:

Many of you will have seen by now photographs on sites like PriusChat, Jalopnik and AutoblogGreen of a vehicle said to be the new Prius.

We thought we’d take a moment to confirm that the car shown in these unauthorized photos – at least the ones we’ve seen so far - is indeed the new Prius.

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What do you get when you combine some of the most advanced pieces of green technology in the marketplace today? It might look something like the new EcoSaver IV hybrid buses from DesignLine.

First, the basics. The buses in question are built by North Carolina-based DesignLine International and feature wide entry doors, super-low floors, and room for 42 passengers. Earlier versions of the EcoSaver hybrid system have been powering these buses for the past ten years. As far as mass transit goes, not a bad start. However, it gets even better when you peek under the hood of the latest generation.
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