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Groupe PSA Braves Emissions Hell With Pure Electric Citroen

October 18th, 2018 by Nicolas Zart

SNIPPET:

The Groupe PSA, which includes Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, and Vauxhall, has had its hands full after acquiring Opel and Vauxhall. The transition hasn’t been as smooth as expected and now the company is facing legacy emission problems after a fiery French newspaper revelation.

Full Article:

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/10/18/groupe-psa-braves-emissions-hell-with-pure-electric-citroen/

In the end, it seems that what motivates giant corporations to make the right decision in line with society’s best interest is not to do the “right thing” nor to be part of the solution, but how much money they stand to lose by pursuing a given direction.

Jens Stubbe

Nicholas you need to read this article.

Europe's love affair with diesel cars has been a disaster

The original impetus to launch Diesel big time for cars was that after the first oil crisis B&W launched motor technology for the shipping industry that could run on the cheaper and filthier bunker oil. This made Diesel an excess fraction.

Big oil rounded the car industry and EU up and they all agreed to launch Diesel for cars as a way to support big oil.

All European countries kept Diesel taxation down and Diesel for touted as more efficient and thus environmentally benign than gasoline.

Also to further press Diesel car technology down the throat of the ordinary car buyers the new car taxation began to be tied to CO2 emissions, which as everybody now knows are never really attainable in real life.

Along the way EU also imposed a demand for catalyzers. They do not function at all for most trips and they rarely last for mere than 100.000 km, so most driving are done with no effect from the catalyzers say for the benign effect for big oil that the catalyzer increase consumption by 10%.

EU has systematically rigged the scene for big oil and the car industry have been happy with the going of things in lieu with the fact that there never where any serious EU investigation going on regarding emissions so they could meet the emission standards with phony software and get permission for not meeting standards below certain ambient temperature (17 degrees Celsius).

Now the car industry is upset that they are to blame while all the time everybody else have been in on the plot.

agelbert  > Jens Stubbe
EXCELLENT comment!

Thank you 💐 Jense Stubbe.

   

INSIDEEVs

October 29, 2018

BY STEVEN LOVEDAY



Article with above video:

https://insideevs.com/tesla-model-s-wear-tear-150000-miles/

EcoWatch

By Lorraine Chow

Nov. 08, 2018 03:33PM EST

EcoWatch



DeSmogBlog

By Dana Drugmand

Nov. 12, 2018 11:26AM EST

Koch Industries is calling for the elimination of tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs), all while claiming that it does not oppose plug-in cars and inviting the elimination of oil and gas subsidies that the petroleum conglomerate and its industry peers receive.

Outgoing Nevada Republican Senator Dean Heller introduced a bill in September that would lift the sales cap on electric vehicles eligible for a federal tax credit, and replace the cap with a deadline that would dictate when the credit would start being phased out.

Under the current tax credit for EVs, once a manufacturer sells 200,000 EVs in the U.S. the amount of the credit gets slashed in half, then halved again. The full credit amount is $7,500. Tesla has already hit the 200,000 cap and GM will soon reach it, so both companies would benefit from a tax credit extension via eliminating the sales cap. Heller's bill lifts the 200,000 vehicle limit and substitutes a phase-out period starting in 2022.

But the conservative senator's bill is facing opposition from the conservative billionaire Koch brothers.

In a letter to senators dated Oct. 24, Koch Industries lobbyist Philip Ellender urges opposition to the expansion of EV tax credits through 2022. Ellender claims that the tax credits primarily benefit wealthy consumers and that subsidization interferes with "innovation and consumer choice."

The letter cites two studies, each by a right-wing think tank. One study comes from the Pacific Research Institute, which has received fossil fuel funding—including more than $1.7 million from Koch-related foundations and $615,000 from ExxonMobil. The PRI study, "Costly Subsidies for the Rich: Quantifying the Subsidies Offered to Battery Electric Powered Cars," emphasizes that "the majority of the dollar benefits from energy and electric car subsidies are paid to tax filers in the higher income tax brackets."

The other study is from the Manhattan Institute, another "free market think tank" that takes in money from the Koch network and Exxon. The study paints a misleading picture of EVs and their subsidies.

In addition to citing biased studies by groups tied to Koch money, Ellender claims in the letter, "We do not oppose electric vehicles."

This sentiment echoes the company's 2016 advertorial, in which Koch Industries claimed to be "all for electric vehicles."

Ellender also claims that Koch Industries is against any and all energy subsidies, even ones that benefit the company. According to the letter:

Instead of expanding this subsidy for wealthy EV owners, Congress should eliminate it along with all other energy incentives—including eliminating any incentives given to us and our competitors where we may participate. We are focused on long-term value creation, not short-term windfalls.
In reality, while Koch Industries is claiming publicly to support ending fossil fuel subsidies (along with EV and clean energy incentives), Koch lobbyists have long worked to ensure that the petroleum industry continues to get subsidized.

As Koch vs. Clean previously pointed out, "In a detailed 2011 report on Koch Industries, the Center for Public Integrity wrote: 'Oil is the core of the Koch business empire, and the company's lobbyists and officials have successfully fought to preserve the industry's tax breaks and credits.' The report documented that Koch lobbyists have worked to preserve billions of dollars in oil industry subsidies, including the Section 199 manufacturing tax deduction and the 'last-in, first out' accounting rule."

In fact, according to the International Business Times, Koch Industries has itself directly secured subsidies totaling more than $195 million.

The Koch network also lobbied for the Trump tax cuts that became law late last year. The corporate tax cut is not specific to energy, but it benefits giant corporations including Big Oil and Koch Industries nonetheless. Americans for Tax Fairness estimated that the Kochs would save more than $1 billion just this year from the tax cut—a significant windfall for a corporate behemoth that claims, "We  are focused on long-term value creation, not short-term windfalls."

Koch vs. California: These Groups Want Pruitt 🐒 to Undo the State’s Right to Regulate Auto Emissions https://www.ecowatch.com/california-pruitt-koch-emissions-standards-2558995169.html … @ewg @UCSUSA @YEARSofLIVING @ClimateReality @greenpeaceusa @EnvDefenseFund

9:50 AM - Apr 11, 2018

https://www.ecowatch.com/koch-electric-vehicles-tax-credit-2619368336.html

Agelbert NOTE: If the Democrats are smart, they will push multiple bills thorugh the House of Representatives EVERY MONTH, which INCREASE the tax credit for EVs to $20,000 with NO CAP on the number of vehicles AND allow people with less than that amount of annual income tax to take the remaining credit in subsequent tax years. As it stands now with the $7,500 tax credit, only the wealthy who pay $7,500 or more a year in taxes can get the full tax credit because the law was stupidly (or cleverly 😈, if you are a fossil fueler) written to allow the credit to be used in only one tax year.


Yeah, the GOP 🦕🦖 Senate 🙉 🙊 would stop all these bills in their tracks. BUT, National attention would be publicized hither and yon to the FACT that subsidizing EVs so the average person can buy one would

1. IMPROVE the HEALTH of Americans by  IMPROVING air quality for humans AND myriad species in the biosphere, AND
 
2. Help mitigate Climate Change, making it COST EFFECTIVE.

All the blocking and whining about "funding" by the Fossil Fuel Fascists 🐉🦕🦖 in the Senate would cast the GOP in the well deserved role of the enemy of we-the-people AND the Biosphere.

REMEMBER that the GOP Bastards, when they controlled the House of Representatives, tried 70 TIMES over EIGHT YEARS, to destroy the A.C.A. they deliberately, with malice aforethought, demonized as "Obamacare". If they could do that EVIL 70 TIMES, the least the Democratic Party can do is 70 attempts TO PASS $20,000 EV TAX CREDIT GOOD LEGISLATION.


 The Fossil Fuelers 🦖 DID THE Clean Energy  Inventions suppressing, Climate Trashing, human health depleting CRIME,   but since they have ALWAYS BEEN liars and conscience free crooks 🦀, they are trying to AVOID   DOING THE TIME or   PAYING THE FINE!     Don't let them get away with it! Pass it on!   

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November 21st, 2018 by Steve Hanley

Little by little, the zero emissions revolution in transportation is spreading to boats and ships. Perhaps electric transoceanic container ships are not in the offing any time soon, but from personal watercraft to the ferries and cargo ships that ply coastal waters, the change to electric motors instead of diesel engines is happening quite quickly.


 
Founded in 2005, Torqueedo is the leader in electric propulsion for pleasure craft — from tiny trolling motors suitable for use on kayaks to lusty inboard motors for yachts. At this moment, the highest expression of what is possible in electric yachting is the Dasher from Hinckley, the perfect boat for admirers of Jay Gatsby and the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock.

The Dasher features twin Torqueedo motors rated at 50 kW each. For 2019, however, the company has doubled the output of its top of the line motors to 100 kW. [Note — horsepower is an inexact way of measuring the output of electric motors. For those who are still frightened of the metric system, multiply kW by 1.3 to get an approximation of the horsepower equivalent.] The new motors are available in low rpm configuration for displacement hull boats as well as a high rpm version for boats with a planing hull.

The greater output requires an increase in battery power as well. The company’s latest Deep Blue battery features an energy density of 144 Wh per kilogram. At 40 kWh, it has 30% more capacity in the same footprint as the previous version. The company’s range of 24 volt batteries to power the companies range of small electric outboard motors also benefit from the 30% increase in energy density.

“By delivering more power, more energy, more silence and more convenience, Torqeedo honors its commitment to improve customers’ boating experiences and advance marine electric mobility every year,” says Christoph Ballin, CEO of Torqeedo.


Leclanché is the largest battery manufacturer you have never heard of. Headquartered in Switzerland, its battery cells are produced in Germany. It has been selected by Kongsborg Marine to supply 45 MWh of batteries for an electric coastal freighter and 8 passenger ferries in Europe. YARA, a fertilizer company, is building YARA Birkeland, the world’s first autonomous and electric coastal freighter with zero emissions. Using sea lanes instead of roads, it will eliminate 40,000 deliveries a year by diesel-powered trucks.

Grimaldi is one of world’s largest operators of roll on/roll off cargo and passenger ferries in the world. Its newest vessels, known as Grimaldi Green 5th Generation ships, will feature hybrid power — diesels while at sea and electric in port. Batteries supplied by Leclanché will provide the electrical power for the hybrid propulsion systems supplied by Kongsborg.


 
The Fjords is one of Norway’s largest passenger ferry operators. Now it is building Legacy of the Fjords to provide zero emissions service to Oslo. “Oslo is very different from Flåm, but we believe it should demand the same degree of operational responsibility and environmental care — especially seeing as it is the EU Green Capital of the Year 2019,” says The Fjords CEO Rolf Sandvik. “We want to set new standards for the urban environment, as we have done for the natural one, and the silent-running, highly efficient, zero-emission Legacy of The Fjords will allow us to do so.”

The Legacy of the Fjords will be a carbon fiber catamaran capable of transporting 400 passengers with zero emissions. To meet the needs of its new green vessel, the company will utilize the innovative Power Dock, a floating device that will draw power from the local grid gradually while the ship is not in port, then recharge its 2.4 MWh battery in just 20 minutes, avoiding expensive power surges when the ship is in port. The Power Dock also stores consumables and waste products from the ship to keep the water around it free of pollution.

“This is a considerable investment but an important one,” Sandvik says. “From a growth perspective, it marks a new phase for the business, but more importantly it also shows other operators here and around the world that it is possible to operate with the utmost environmental care, while providing sensational passenger experiences, in cities as well as natural landscapes. It’s our hope we can provide a model for sustainable future transport — one that will inspire other responsible, visionary cities and owners to follow suit. That will be our legacy.”



Two ferries, the Tycho Brahe and the Aurora, transport more than 7.4 million passengers and 1.9 million vehicles a year across the 2.5 mile wide strait that separates Sweden and Denmark. Both of the 328-foot long ferries built in 1991 have now been converted from diesel power to electricity.

Each now has a 4.2 MWh battery system to power an electric propulsion system controlled by technology supplied by ABB, which has also designed and installed an innovative automated shoreside charging system. Using 3D laser scanning and a wireless communication link between the ferries and the shore, the vessels are connected robotically to charging equipment once they dock. The system minimizes connection time, leaving more time for charging the ferries’ batteries.

“We are delighted that the entire system is in place to support the emissions-free operations we envisaged from the outset,” said Johan Röstin, CEO of ForSea, the ferry operator. “This is a truly groundbreaking project and the work we have done with ABB will offer invaluable lessons for those following our lead. In shipping, innovation takes time and patience, and we always kept sight of the environmental benefits at stake.”



Color Hybrid, which will be the largest plug-in hybrid passenger ship in the world, is now under construction and is expected to enter revenue service in the summer of 2019. The 525-foot long vessel will carry 2,000 passengers and 500 vehicles on Norway’s popular Sandefjord to Strömstad route. While near land and in port, it will be powered by an electric propulsion system supplied by Siemens using batteries from Corvus.

Building the ship will be a boost to the local economy, with up to 500 area residents involved directly or indirectly in the construction phase. Color Line chief executive Trond Kleivdal says, “The determination and the ability to adjust course has been one of the key drivers in the development of the company. In about half a year, this magnificent hull will be a flagship for the natural environment and for innovation for the Norwegian maritime industry.”



Electric maritime news is not confined to Scandinavia. Canadian firm Shottel has been supplying diesel powertrains to commercial vessels in that country for generations. Now it has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards to supply electric propulsion to two new ferries for the ministry of transportation in Ontario. The new ships are expected to eliminate more than 15 million pounds of carbon emissions annually.

The Amherst Island ferry will accommodate 300 passengers and 42 cars. It is expect to enter service in 2020. The Wolfe Island ferry will handle 399 passengers and 75 cars. It is expected to be completed in 2021. Both will have a speed of 12 knots — the same as conventional ferries. Both will be equipped with four Schottel 550 kW propulsion units. An onboard diesel engine will provide backup power as needed.

“There has been close cooperation with Schottel in this project that aimed at identifying highly efficient future innovations and green technologies for sustainable power solutions,” said Damen Shipyards’ Leo Postma, area manager, Canada. “Schottel’s international network and propulsion knowledge that we have relied on for decades and we already have supported, made this project a comprehensive solution for the customer.”


Viking, the largest marine lifeboat and survivability company has completed heavy weather sea trial testing of its latest technology, the electrically powered LifeCraft system designed to replace traditional lifeboats on cruise ships. The system consists of four self-contained units intended to be combine the maneuverability of a life raft with the capacity of a life boat. Each system can accommodate up to 812 passengers.

Each of the four components has four electric motors — one at each corner — for superior maneuverability without the dangers associated with fossil fuels, including toxic exhaust emissions that may enter the rescue compartment during adverse sea conditions. The motors also require much less maintenance than conventional internal combustion engines.

The whole purpose of lifesaving equipment at sea is to perform under the most rigorous conditions. Recently, Viking subjected its LifeCraft system to testing in the most difficult conditions imaginable — waves up to 30 feet high and wind speeds greater than 40 miles per hour. It passed all the tests with flying colors.

“We launched the LifeCraft with the ship heading 3 knots up against the wind, exposing the system to the full force of the fierce weather in the most critical test phase,” says Viking vice president Niels Fraende. “We then demonstrated — with a simulated dead ship condition — that the fully loaded LifeCraft system provides a safe and stable means of evacuation on both the weather and lee sides for several hours.

“In addition, we quickly and successfully maneuvered the LifeCraft survival craft on both sides of the vessel to a safe distance, demonstrating their built-in flexibility to move rescue capacity to wherever it is most needed. Simulating station-keeping while waiting for rescue, we performed a 24-hour controlled drift test in the battering seas with no damage sustained to the survival craft.”

The LifeCraft system uses a novel chute escape system designed to transport landlubbers safely from the comfort of the dining deck to the waiting rescue craft far below in turbulent seas. All landed safely in the LifeCraft unit at the expected evacuation speed, dry and unbrushed by the elements the company reports.


Decarbonizing the transportation sector involves much more than getting people to drive electric cars. The diesel engine is the backbone of most freight and cargo operations, which in turn are the basis for virtually all commerce. In many parts of the world, ferries are an integral part of transportation systems just as much as subways are in urban areas.

Little by little and step by step, waterborne transportation is awakening to the revolution made possible by batteries and electric motors, bringing zero emissions transportation to more people in more places. Taken together, all of the news above represents an important advance in creating a more sustainable environment for us all.

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/11/21/electrons-on-the-high-seas-the-zero-emissions-maritime-report/

INSIDEEVs

November 26, 2018

BY ERIC LOVEDAY




Concurrent with its grand debut at the LA Motor Show, Rivian released a set of videos showcasing some of the abilities and features of its all-new R1T electric pickup truck.

SNIPPET:

The R1T electric ⚡ truck is perhaps the most exciting entrant in the plug-in segment since the Tesla Model 3. Though its launch date is still a couple of years off, this electric machine really gets our hearts pumping.

Why? Well, it’s a truck and here in the U.S. trucks sell incredibly well. Beyond its truckness, the R1T is a long-range electric (perhaps capable of going over 400 miles per charge in the right configuration), it tows, hauls and has all sorts of really slick features.

Rivian says the R1T’s largest battery pack holds 180kWh of energy and delivers 400-plus miles of range. Additionally, Rivian will offer 105 kWh and 135 kWh configurations, with a base starting price estimated at just over $60K. The top spec truck will pump out something like 800 HP.

Read more:


https://insideevs.com/watch-rivian-r1t-electric-truck-off-roading/

Nov 29, 2018, 04:00am

Tern Launches Corporate Electric Cargobike Program

Carlton Reid Contributor Transportation

I am Press Gazette's Transport Journalist of the Year, 2018
 

The Willard Street Inn, Burlington, Vermont, rents out Tern GSD bikes to enable couples to enjoy a nearby scenic bike path – the bikes can be loaded with a picnic featuring a selection of locally-sourced delicacies.TERN

Bicycle maker Tern has launched a “bikes-for-business” program to promote its GSD – “get stuff done” – electric cargobike. The Taiwanese company with international staffers and global distribution is aiming to pique the interest of hotels and short-haul delivery firms. The program – trialled with a number of small businesses already using GSDs – includes cloud-based fleet management as well as customization options, including corporate color schemes and branded fascias. The corporate program will be delivered through local bike shops.

“E-cargobikes are a great alternative for some 20 percent of all delivery vans currently operating in large cities,” concluded a recent Dutch study. The 121-page City Logistic: Light and Electric report argues that cities are being strangled by trucks and vans – and one of the solutions is for businesses to switch at least some of their “last-mile deliveries” to electric cargobikes. Most of these are long and somewhat cumbersome. Not so for Tern’s GSD – this is billed as a “compact” e-cargobike, yet it can still haul 378-lbs, no sweat.

The $4,000 small-wheel GSD is a one-size-fits-all machine, and unlike a motor vehicle it doesn’t require insurance or a license to operate.


“More businesses on bikes is something that is essential for the health of our planet,” said Tern CEO Josh Hon.

Corporate-branded GSD on trial with Deliveroo.TERN

“But it’s also great for the people working in those businesses who’ll get more fresh air and exercise. And it’ll be a really good thing for dealers who can start to build a recurring revenue model for their shops.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2018/11/29/tern-launches-corporate-electric-cargobike-program/#6e7198dc18f1

Quote from: agelbert on November 29, 2018, 08:51:30 pm

Vermonters like bikes. Yes, the folks in Burlington probably like e-bikes too. BUT, Vermont has real wet, slushy, messy winters. Winters here last a long, long time. Even with global warming the rainy messy mix we get makes biking a challenge. I actually did drive a pedal bicycle to a job I had parking cars at the airport (in winter) way back in 1998 for about a month. It sucked. It was slippery as all getout in winter and the cars made life rather difficult. If the young folks go for that, good for them. I'm too old for that. 

A Trike Electric with knobby tires makes things a little better.  This one from Z-electric is only $7K.  I may buy it in the spring.  It has a VIN number and you can license it for road use too.

RE

True. An electric all weather trike would work great here.

Had I been in that thing when the pickup truck that front ended me drove into oncoming traffic last week I'd have been killed.  As it is I'm uninjured.  Electronics batteries and motors are all available but somebody needs to do more than slap the components together to make a solution that works.  Three wheeled electric carts are nothing new.  This one is wrapped in a light plastic shell.  That plastic might shatter in Alaska temperatures.  I'd check into what it is made of before I got one.

For those who think they must drive an 8,000 pound PLUS tank to feel safe, I understand, but that is not, or has ever been, the issue with small economic vehicles. So, it is irrelevant to the subject of e-bikes. Surly's wife was saved by driving in an SUV (Subaru Forester). That does not mean, K-Dog, that these small electric vehicles (The E-Tuk sells in Colorado and is used to taxi tourists around - they also sell them for small businesses like this coffee serving model ) are not selling well AND are part of the Renewable Energy SOLUTION.

November 28th, 2018 by Michael Barnard

SNIPPET:


Geographically, there aren’t a lot of surprises. As this chart of e-bike manufacturing revenue by country shows, China by itself is the biggest manufacturer of e-bikes, followed by the USA and Taiwan. That last comes with a political wrinkle, however. China considers Taiwan to be part of China, while Taiwan considers itself independent. Taiwan, or the Republic of China, lost its UN seat to the People’s Republic of China in 1971, but still maintains official diplomatic relations to 16 countries and informal diplomatic relations with most of them.

Why this is interesting is that the two largest revenue firms for e-bikes globally are both from Taiwan: Giant and Merida. This chart shows the top 15 firms by estimated e-bike revenue.


here are a couple of additional points worth noting about this chart. First, the majority of firms in the e-bike market today are making less than US$100 million specifically from e-bikes. Giant and Merida, at an estimated US$170 million, are more than double the size of the next largest individual competitor. They are well-positioned to continue to dominate. Second, while most companies have a relatively limited number of models across a handful of categories, the number of variants within models is very large, especially for smaller pure-play Chinese manufacturers.


Read more: