DOES QUEBEC PUBLIC TRANSPORT GO ALL-ELECTRIC?
Published at 10.03.2010 in Alternatives, Public transport
Proposals have been forwarded for the Canadian city of Quebec to reduce CO2 emissions through the implementation of a public transport system using electric power only. The plans call for the city’s public transport system to switch completely to electric power by 2030. This forms part of a strategy for the city to cut its CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020.
CNG-FUELLED BUS COMPLETES 322,000 KM ALTOONA TEST WITH SUCCESS
Published at 09.03.2010 in Alternatives, Minibuses
A Creative Bus CNG installation on a Ford bus recently completed the demanding North-American Altoona Bus Test without any unscheduled maintenance or repairs to the CNG fuel system. Built on the Ford E-450 chassis, the cutaway bus is 25′ in length and has a passenger capacity of twenty one. The proprietary compressed natural gas fuel system was designed and installed in California by Creative Bus Sales, a company that specializes in CNG bus conversions.
VOITH TURBO SELECTS MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES' ULTRACAPACITOR MODULES FOR HYBRID TRANSIT BUS DRIVE SYSTEMS
Published at 08.03.2010 in Alternatives, Public transport
Voith Turbo has selected Maxwell's 125-volt Boostcap ultracapacitor modules for braking energy recuperation and torque assist in low-emission, fuel-efficient, hybrid-electric transit bus drive systems. Voith and Maxwell have entered into a strategic supply agreement through which Maxwell is Voith's exclusive supplier of ultracapacitor modules assembled in the United States to meet local content requirements.
DAIMLER AG SIGNS MOU WITH BYD TO ESTABLISH AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP IN CHINA
Published at 03.03.2010 in Alternatives, International developments
Daimler AG recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BYD Company Limited to enter into a comprehensive technology partnership for the development of electric vehicles for China. Under the agreement, Daimler and BYD intend to develop a new electric vehicle specific to the requirements of the Chinese market. The vehicle will be marketed under a new brand jointly created and owned by Daimler and BYD. In addition, a common technology center will be established in China to develop, design and test this electric vehicle.
EUROPEAN BIOFUELS PLANS MAY BE IN JEOPARDY
Published at 02.03.2010 in Alternatives, Environment
Fresh controversy is mounting within the European Union over biofuels and their unintended impact on tropical forests and wetlands, documents show. One leaked document from the EU's executive, the European Commission, suggests biofuel from palm oil might get a boost from new environmental criteria under development. But another contains a warning from a top official that taking full account of the carbon footprint of biofuels might "kill" an EU industry with annual revenues of around $5 billion.
