Shares ‘Oscar of Innovation’ Honor with Argonne Nat’l Lab

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Ener1, Inc. (Amex: HEV), maker of advanced battery technology to power the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles, announced today that it has received the prestigious R&D 100 award for excellence in its technology and innovative design. The award is shared by Ener1 and its research partner, the U.S. Department of Energy and University of Chicago’s Argonne National Laboratory.

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Ener1 develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for advanced automotive applications based on technology originally pioneered by Argonne researchers. Demand for cost effective battery solutions is being driven by a need to reduce dependence on foreign oil imports and the growing concern about vehicle emissions. (more…)

SOURCE: Con Edison Co. of NY, Inc.

Jun 24, 2008 09:41 ET

Earth Day Every Day

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire - June 24, 2008) - To enhance its commitment to environmental excellence, Con Edison announced today that the company is increasing the use of environmentally friendly biodiesel fuel in its truck fleet and expanding its acquisition of green vehicles.

Con Edison’s fleet of approximately 1,700 diesel trucks is using cleaner-burning B-20 biodiesel fuel, 20 percent of which is derived from soybeans. The soy-based portion of the fuel is a renewable resource that will help the company offset almost 400,000 gallons of petroleum per year. Newer diesel vehicles also will be equipped with special exhaust filters for even cleaner tailpipe emissions. (more…)

IC Bus to Deliver the Park’s First-Ever Hybrid Bus

DENALI, Alaska, July 17 /PRNewswire/ — Visitors to Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, one of the largest protected intact ecosystems in the world, will now have the opportunity to explore the park with the aid of an environmentally friendly vehicle — a fuel-efficient and emissions-reducing hybrid bus. IC Bus, North America’s largest school bus and commercial bus manufacturer, is delivering the Park’s first hybrid bus on July 17.

Assigned for use as part of the park’s shuttle service which extends 90 miles into the wilderness, the hybrid bus will transport visitors along a 45- mile route through August 30, during the Park’s peak season, enhancing visitors’ experience. A quieter engine will improve wildlife viewing as visitors see and hear nature in a way the other buses do not allow.

“Can you imagine the thrill of moving slowly and silently past a bear nursing its cub or wolf hunting along the road?” asked Elwood Lynn, assistant superintendent of operations for Denali.

In addition to a quieter ride, the new bus will provide better performance on the steep grades of the park road as Denali is also known for its mountain viewing.

Most importantly, the CE Series Hybrid delivers the following environmental benefits:

– Up to 30 percent reduction in particulate matter

– Up to 20 percent reduction in NOx emissions

– Up to 70 percent improvement in fuel economy

– Up to 40 percent reduction in CO2

– Hybrid drive power provides an electronic boost for hills or when rapid

acceleration is needed

– Electronic regeneration recharges the battery and improves brake life

Read more ……………..

Small Cars and Hybrids Lead the Automotive Environmental Index Top 30

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., July 15 /PRNewswire/ — While most automotive manufacturers have shifted production to focus on smaller vehicles, nearly 70 percent of consumers say they want manufacturers to invest more in existing and emerging powertrain technologies, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Alternative Powertrain Study(SM) released today.

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Now in its third year, the Alternative Powertrain Study examines the reasons why consumers consider or avoid alternative powertrain vehicles, such as hybrid, flex fuel and clean diesel fuel models. The study includes the Automotive Environmental Index, which combines U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publicly available information related to fuel economy, air pollution and greenhouse gases for 2008 model-year vehicles and J.D. Power and Associates’ voice of the customer data related to stated

fuel economy. Feedback from verified vehicle owners is also used to help determine the relative importance of these environmental factors. (more…)