July 2009
New Way of Making Membranes Could Reduce Energy Needs of Biofuel Production
By Scott Doggett July 31, 2009Engineers have developed a method for creating high-performance membranes from crystal sieves that could increase the energy efficiency of chemical separations up to 50 times over conventional methods and enable higher production rates. So say a team of researchers led by chemical engineer Michael Tsapatsis of the University of Minnesota, in an article that appeared in today's issue of Science. The ability to separate and purify specific molecules in a chemical mixture is essential to chemical manufacturing. Many industrial separations rely on distillation, a process that is easy to design and implement but consumes a lot of energy. Tsapatsis's more
Tata: Future Jaguar Land Rovers to Feature Fuel-Efficient Aluminum Construction
By Scott Doggett July 31, 2009Tatas-owned Jaguar Land Rover will eventually make all of its models with lightweight aluminum bodies to save on gas and reduce climate-changing CO2 emissions. -----------Right, an aluminum-body 2010 Jaguar XJ.----------- So said Tata Motors Chairman Rata Tata earlier this week, adding that the two iconic brands are also developing hybrid engines for use in future JLR models. Jaguar has been touting the aluminum-intensive construction of its XJ sedan since the previous-generation model was introduced back in 2003. The automaker claims that use of aluminum in lieu of steel can result in a 40 percent reduction in weight. In addition more
House Approves $2 Billion 'Clunker' Extension, but Trouble Looms in the Senate
By Scott Doggett July 31, 2009The U.S. House of Representatives, by a vote of 316-109, today approved a $2 billion extension of the "Cash-for-Clunkers" automobile sales incentive program. The Democratic proposal would run through September 30, 2010, and tap funds from an Energy Department loan guarantee program included in the economic stimulus package enacted in February. An initial $1 billion in funding approved this summer to boost stagnant industry sales has already been exhausted, officials said. Consumers stormed dealers over the past month to take advantage of federally backed rebates of up to $4,500 on trade ins of gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient more
Buffett Fund Earns $1 Billion From $230 Million, 10-Month Investment in BYD
By Scott Doggett July 31, 2009Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate holding company chaired by Midwestern moneyman Warren Buffett, has earned $1 billion in paper profits on $230 million the company agreed to invest in Chinese electric-vehicle maker BYD only 10 months ago. On Thursday, the China Securities Regulatory Commission granted approval for the transaction, which gave Berkshire a 9.89 percent stake in BYD. The company's shares closed today at HK$42.90, valuing Berkshire's stake at HK$9.65 billion, or about $1.25 billion. As we reported last September, Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holdings, a unit of Berkshire Hathaway, paid $230 million for a 10 percent interest in BYD (Build more
U.S. House Votes To Fund Cash for Clunker Extension
By Michelle Krebs July 31, 2009The U.S. House of Representatives voted Friday afternoon for a Cash for Clunkers extension funded by an additional $2 billion through Sept. 30. The measure, which passed on a 316-109 bipartisan vote, will be funded from a renewable energy loan guarantee included in the economic stimulus package. The measure goes to the Senate next week where it faces more challenges than the fast-track bill did in the House. Some senators already have said they'll oppose it; others said they will insist it contain more stringent fuel-economy standards for the vehicles bought under the Cash for Clunker plan. more
Mini Humor: My Other Car Was Demolished by the Government
By Michelle Krebs July 31, 2009Leave it to quirky Mini to come up with a humorous bumper sticker in the midst of the cash for clunker frenzh. more
CARS Gas Gauge: There Yesterday; Gone Today
By Michelle Krebs July 31, 2009A gas gauge showing how much money remains in the Cash for Clunkers program has disappeared from the Car Allowance Rebate System's (CARS) Web Site . Clearly, the gauge has not kept up with real-time tracking of the flurry of transactions. As of Thursday, the gauge showed $779 million remaining for clunker trades. In reality, the program is quickly running through its $1-billion allocation. more
White House Says Cash for Clunkers Is Up and Running
By Michelle Krebs July 31, 2009The White House insists the too-successful Cash for Clunkers program, despite running out of money, remains up and running Friday and will continue to operate through the weekend as the administration seeks additional funding for it. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program remained "up and continuing to run," according to Politico.com. For those intending to buy a car over the weekend, "the program will be in place," Gibbs said. But Gibbs did say the administration is trying to find additional funding for the program even as Congress recess for the August break. Congress reportedly is more
Still Shopping? With Big Rebates, Hybrids and Diesels Can Be Attractive
By John O'Dell July 31, 2009If C4C Comes Back, Tech Premium For Many Could Be Offset; Manufacturer Rebates Would Do Same By John O'Dell, Senior Editor Got a gas guzzler that would qualify under the cash for clunkers program for a federal credit toward a new, more efficient car or truck? (That's if we still have a cash for clunkers program when the dust settles from Thursday's reveation that the programs's initial funding apparently has run dry.) The situation's up in the air right now, but if you are in the mood to keep doing research, or perhaps have had the car-buying impulse jump-started and have decided to more
Nissan Prepares To Launch Its EV; Provides Test-Drives in "Mule" as Sample
By John O'Dell July 31, 2009By John O'Dell, Senior Editor YOKOHAMA, Japan -- It's a cliche, but that doesn't make it less true: Get into Nissan's latest electric vehicle test car, stomp on the "gas," and the quiet that accompanies the rather serious acceleration is nothing short of remarkable. That can be said of almost any all-electric vehicle, lots of torque and lots of quiet are characteristics of their high-revving electric motors. What makes Nissan's quiet torque worth writing about is that it is almost ready to hit the market. On August 2 (August 1 in the U.S.), Nissan will unveil the preproduction "concept" of the more