Phinergy and Alcoa demoed a zero-emissions electric demo car powered with lithium ion batters with supplemental power from an aluminum-air battery at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal during the Canadian International Aluminum Conference last week (June 3-4).
New Fords made from tomato ketchup for greener future
Researchers at Ford and Heinz are researching the use of tomato fibers to make sustainable, composite materials for use in carmaking.
Ford researchers are testing the composite for use in wiring brackets, upholstery, and storage bins such as the kind a customer uses to hold coins and other small objects.
Smart Toyota Panasonic home appliance apps to start heat or A/C
Toyota and Panasonic are co-developing a service that links cars with home appliances. A new service will be launched probably by the third quarter. A feature to expect will allow drivers to set up air conditioning or heat when the car is near the home. It could also turn on the coffee or crock pot on the way home from work.
BMW ConnectedDrive app connected to Blink Network & smart charging
BMW has updated its app with best charging times for the best prices along and also offers locations of public charging stations.
The new BMW Smart Charging App makes it possible for BMWi customers to charge at times with the best rates saving as much as $400 a year. BMW claims it is the “first” automotive manufacturer to offer this automated and fully integrated functionality.
DriveSync synchs to open cloud
Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc (IMS) unveiled the next generation of the DriveSync connected car platform, which now includes open cloud based architecture.
DriveSync platform now allows automotive ecosystem partners, any vehicle built after 1996 with an OBD-II ports can use connected car services using IMS plug-and-play technology with the DriveSync platform.
Telematics Detroit Winners: Volvo, Ericsson, OnStar, Audi, GM & Nissan
Telematics Update announced the winners of the 2014 Detroit awards winners include Volvo, Ericsson, INRIX, Delphi, OnStar, Elektrobit, Daimler, Audi, Nissan and GM.
WAT makes the APMA Connected Car so special?
Last week, the most Canadian connected concept car, ever, was shown at the APMA( Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association) in Canada and one that the Ontario’s drunken mayor Rob Ford can’t drive because it has an alcohol interlock device on it.
There have been reports that just say what types of devices were installed in the car running the QNX operating system but not the actual devices makers or providers.
The specially decked out Lexus RX350 was connected and reconfigured by the University of Waterloo.
C3 Connected Car Council formed not to be confused with Connected Car Expo
Connected Car Conference (C3) founder Doug Newcomb announced the formation of the Connect Car Council and its inaugural members.
The Connected Car Council will market its members and help shape future C3 with topics such as distracted driving, data, networking, infotainment and privacy/security.
Mo’ ZEVs Coming to California, MD, MA, NY, RI, VT and CT with Freebies and Perks
Eight states are planning to promote electric car ownership by making it cheaper and easier with perks such as, more charging stations, carpool lane access, cheaper tolls and free parking. California and east coast states are working together to put more Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) on the road to the tune of 3.3 million by 2025.
GoogleCar dirverles car is not a car, it’s a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)/Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV)
The Google self-driving frenzy, started off with an introduction at the at the Code conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California and splattered across the blogosphere
Kia-Hyundai has lowest emissions and best green scores
U.S. car maker are not making the connection between the environment and sales. What car maker is the greenest of all? Hyundai-Kia is the greenest automaker according to the latest study from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Paving solar roads funding with freakin’ fun for a cleaner greener future
Media blitzkriegs and a sassy YouTube video are starting to pave the way for freakin’ solar roadways to the Indiegogo tune of $1.432 million exceeding the original goal of one million.
The campaign that claims that greenhouse gases could be reduced 75% by paving roads and parking lots with solar pavers has over 33,000 funders. Solar Roadways plans to solar panels that can handle up to 250,000 pounds, heat up to melt snow, light up with LEDs to form lines in the road for bike lanes or crosswalks, have channels for water and create electricity. Funders can get metal mounting holes in a solar parking lot, pendants, glass panels, t-shirts, coffee mugs or tote bags. It’s called “Solar Freakin’ Roadways.”
Solar Roadways received two phases of funding from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration for research and development of a paving system that will pay for itself over its lifespan. They are wrapping up Phase II contract (to build a prototype parking lot) where the funding will be used.
The solar panels are covered by a tempered glass surface that has been tested for traction, load testing, and impact resistance testing in civil engineering laboratories around the country, and exceeded all requirements. The intelligent hexagon panels fit together like bathroom tile.
The company makes a lot of green and environmental claims
- It will pay for itself by generating electricity and instead of paying for power plants the money could be used for more solar road.
- Heating elements will melt ice.
- No pot holes, the material will not break.
- Embedded LEDs offer safer night driving.
- Storm water can be treated and transported.
- Data cables can be embedded in the system.
- Provides infrastructure for autonomous cars and EVs.
- Panels can transmit cell phone and data signals, buh-buh dead spots.
- Roads can post warnings of dangers ahead.
- Traffic can be monitored.
- No more green house gases or fossil fuels.
- Safer roads with fewer accident.
- Protects wildlife, Load cells in the Solar Road Panels can detect if something is on the surface of the panel, oncoming drivers will be warned via embedded LEDs of the danger ahead and will be given plenty of time to slow down. If there is crossing with many animals, data collected can show where a bridge can be built.
- Lower insurance and health costs.
- Better national security because the panels don’t show heat like generators do in battle.
Solar Roadways co-inventors and co-founders are Julie and Scott Brusaw. Scott is the engineer and Julie is a therapist.
The whole Solar Roadway buzz will be documented in a documentary film with its own website. The whole project appeals to dreamers. The only thing that has not been document is how much each panel will cost. Currently a 45 watt solar panel costs around $100 retail.