Category Archives: Eco friendly

Nissan Announces First Fuel Cell Vehicle Lease in North America

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Nissan X-Trail Zero emissions

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2009) – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced the lease of an X-TRAIL Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) to Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. Nissan, which began development of fuel cell vehicle technology in 1996, has previously used FCVs in demonstration fleets in Japan and in California through the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), but this is Nissan’s first commercial FCV lease in North America. The Sacramento Coca-Cola lease is for one year, with an option for two additional years.
“Sacramento already has the beginning of a hydrogen infrastructure in place, and Sacramento Coca-Cola has a track record of utilizing low emissions cars, so the two companies share a green philosophy as well as a common love of things ‘zero’,” said Eric Noziere, vice president, Corporate Planning, NNA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2009) – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced the lease of an X-TRAIL Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) to Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. Nissan, which began development of fuel cell vehicle technology in 1996, has previously used FCVs in demonstration fleets in Japan and in California through the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), but this is Nissan’s first commercial FCV lease in North America. The Sacramento Coca-Cola lease is for one year, with an option for two additional years.

“Sacramento already has the beginning of a hydrogen infrastructure in place, and Sacramento Coca-Cola has a track record of utilizing low emissions cars, so the two companies share a green philosophy as well as a common love of things ‘zero’,” said Eric Noziere, vice president, Corporate Planning, NNA

The zero emissions X-TRAIL FCV is being used by the bottler for sales calls and public events in the Sacramento area in promotion of its Coca-Cola Zero® soft drink. “This is a big step in furthering our commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Bob Brown, executive vice president of Sacramento Coca-Cola. “We are really excited about the promise of fuel cell technology.”

Nissan’s comprehensive fuel cell research and development program is part of a range of eco-friendly technologies – including FCVs, electric vehicles, hybrid and improved internal combustion engines – being pursued under the Nissan Green Program 2010, a plan focused on developing new technologies, products and services leading to real-world reductions in CO2 emissions, cleaner emissions and expanded recycling of resources.

The Nissan X-TRAIL FCV is based on the X-TRAIL SUV, which is available in Mexico, Japan and Europe. It is fitted with a Nissan-developed compact fuel cell stack, a compact Lithium-ion battery and a high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder. Performance is close to that of a similarly sized internal combustion engine-based vehicle. Versions of this generation X-TRAIL FCV are capable of speeds in excess of 95 miles per hour, with a cruising range of up to 300 miles.

Source: Nissan

Progress Through Efficiency : The New Way Forward

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Audi logo

First in the premium segment in SA: Audi of South Africa introduces start/stop models at no extra cost.

Audi is synonymous with being the leader in progressive technology and pioneering new innovations. The 21st century brings in a new era of challenges, predominantly the challenge to become more environmentally conscious and reduce CO2 emissions. One of our most important tasks in the future is to increase efficiency even further.

Energy management also offers huge potential for efficiency – for the air conditioning system, for example, energy recovery and termo management. The intelligent assistance systems such as the on-board computer with efficiency program also offer valuable support to the driver.
Last but not least, the new Start/Stop system which switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationery is now being introduced locally by Audi in a number of its models – a first for the South African premium segment.
2009 also saw Audi South Africa making significant strides by further enhancing the efficiency of the Audi models. This is clearly highlighted by the transition to Euro 4 & 5 emission levels of all cars in May.
THE START/STOP SYSTEM
The Start/stop system helps to save fuel and and reduce CO2 emissions, and realises its efficiency potential in urban traffic especially.

Energy management also offers huge potential for efficiency – for the air conditioning system, for example, energy recovery and termo management. The intelligent assistance systems such as the on-board computer with efficiency program also offer valuable support to the driver.

Last but not least, the new Start/Stop system which switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationery is now being introduced locally by Audi in a number of its models – a first for the South African premium segment.

2009 also saw Audi South Africa making significant strides by further enhancing the efficiency of the Audi models. This is clearly highlighted by the transition to Euro 4 & 5 emission levels of all cars in May.

The Start/Stop system

The Start/stop system helps to save fuel and and reduce CO2 emissions, and realises its efficiency potential in urban traffic especially.

Simply put, the engine switches off automatically when you stop the car at, for example, a traffic light …and starts up again automatically when you are ready to drive off.

When the vehicle stops, the engine is switched off. The vehicle’s electrical system is supplied with electricity from rapid power storage devices called supercaps. As soon as the driver presses down the clutch, the engine is started. By the time the clutch pedal is released, the engine has reached idling speed.

An intelligent engine management system ensures short engine starting times and eliminates all negative effects of switching off and starting the engine with regards to exhaust emissions.

Source: Audi

Safe New Toyota Prius an Instant Hit In the Uk

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Toyota new Prius

The British motoring public has shown itself eager to embrace the latest advances in cleaner, fuel efficient, full hybrid power by signing up in their thousands to buy the all-new Toyota Prius.

By the time of Prius’s official on-sale date a week before its launch in South Africa, more than 2,000 advance orders had been taken.

A glance at the list of vehicles traded in under the scheme reveals the breadth of appeal of new Prius: in a sublime-to-the-ridiculous array of past-it machinery, owners have given up everything from a Jaguar Sovereign and Mercedes-Benz SL to a Nissan Sunny and Fiat Tipo to be among the first to drive the new full hybrid Prius.

The ECB system on the Prius is 18% lighter and 31% more compact than conventional systems. When the vehicle is travelling at a speed greater than 55 km/h and the ECB determines that emergency braking is taking place an Emergency Brake Signal system automatically blinks the stop lights to alert vehicles behind and reduce the possibility of rear-end collisions.

The new Prius has front and side airbag protection for the driver and front passenger, a knee airbag for the driver, and side curtain airbags. The front passenger airbag can be deactivated with a dashboard mounted warning light to indicate deactivation.

Source: Toyota

The British motoring public has shown itself eager to embrace the latest advances in cleaner, fuel efficient, full hybrid power by signing up in their thousands to buy the all-new Toyota Prius.
By the time of Prius’s official on-sale date a week before its launch in South Africa, more than 2,000 advance orders had been takenThe British motoring public has shown itself eager to embrace the latest advances in cleaner, fuel efficient, full hybrid power by signing up in their thousands to buy the all-new Toyota Prius.
By the time of Prius’s official on-sale date a week before its launch in South Africa, more than 2,000 advance orders had been taken.

The new Peugeot electric car: iOn “Zero Emissions”

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peugeot ion

Peugeot, the pioneer and 1st worldwide manufacturer of electric vehicles will be launching the ion at the end of 2010. Its performance and 130 km operating range is obtained in particular due to the use of lithium-ion batteries, which will provide an efficient response to the challenges of urban mobility and respect for the environment.
With the ion, which will be presented to the world for the 1st time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Peugeot is incorporating the latest automotive edition into its model range.

Peugeot, the pioneer and 1st worldwide manufacturer of electric vehicles will be launching the ion at the end of 2010. Its performance and 130 km operating range is obtained in particular due to the use of lithium-ion batteries, which will provide an efficient response to the challenges of urban mobility and respect for the environment.

With the ion, which will be presented to the world for the 1st time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Peugeot is incorporating the latest automotive edition into its model range.

With the 106 produced between 1995 and 2003, Peugeot, the pioneer in electric vehicles, remains to this day the manufacturer having sold the most “zero-emissions” cars in the world.

Lithium-ion batteries rechargeable in six hours and 80% recharged within thirty minutes

The town will therefore be the favourite playground of the iOn. With four doors and four seats, a length of 3.48 m and a turning circle of 4.50 m, this all-electric Peugeot vehicle will develop a maximum power output of 47 kW (64 bhp) and a torque of 180 Nm, thus offering  reliable levels of performance (maximum speed of 130 km/h). Equipped with a totally comfortable operating range (130 km standard European cycle), the lithium-ion car batteries are rechargeable in six hours using a conventional 220 V socket or recharged to 80% capacity within thirty minutes, thanks to its fast charging system.

These specifications allow this “zero-emission” city car to offer a good level of versatility, comparable in performance and comfort to a small conventional combustion engine vehicle.

Source: Peugeot

Audi Electric E-tron

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audi e-tron 3

INGOLSTADT/FRANKFURT, Germany, Sep 15, 2009  -  Audi presents the highlight of the IAA 2009: the e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system. Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro. Producing 230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) of torque, the two-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1 seconds. The lithium-ion battery provides a truly useable energy content of 42.4 kilowatt hours to enable a range of approximately 248 kilometers, or 154 miles.

audi e-tron 1

Electric driving potentially offers numerous advantages. Electric cars reduce the dependence of transportation and the economy on the raw material petroleum. They produce no direct exhaust emissions and thus ease the local burden on the environment. Electric drive systems are also significantly more efficient than combustion engines, consequently making them easier on the customers’ wallets. Other strengths include sportiness and the fun they bring to driving. All of the torque is essentially available the moment the driver steps on the accelerator, allowing for breathtaking acceleration.

audi e-tron 2

There is still a lot of work to do before electric cars are ready for volume production, however. The greatest challenge is the integration of the energy storage system. Acceptable range and performance requires a traction battery that is heavy and takes up a lot of space. Audi is taking a new approach to offset these disadvantages – a holistic approach with a specific vehicle package, a systematic lightweight construction concept and an optimal configuration of all components for the electric drive.

Source: Audi