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DOE Secretary Moniz announces $50 million for cleaner vehicles, sees upside in Fisker loan failure

The Washington Auto Show started today with an announcement by US Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz about a new, $50-million boost for the DOE's work on supporting more fuel-efficient vehicles. The $50 million, Moniz said, will support advanced vehicle technologies. $30 million will go towards making plug-in vehicles better and charging more convenient, including extra support for the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge. The DOE said years ago that it would focus on supporting electric vehicles, but Moniz said that he expects the money announced today to support a wide variety of things. This includes advanced batteries, lightweight materials, advanced combustion and better tires, all in an effort to help the auto industry meet the higher fuel economy ratings of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The DOE is "very bullish" on EV sales as costs continue to drop - Secretary Moniz Moniz said that the DOE has played a huge role in getting the national average MPG up to the level it is as today, citing the example that nearly every hybrid on the road has some DOE-supported technology in it with better nickel-metal hydride batteries. Also, since Americans bought nearly 100,000 plug-in vehicles last year, about twice as much as in 2012, Moniz said the DOE feels "very bullish seeing this [EV progress] continue in the years ahead" as costs continue to drop. Not every DOE investment has been a hit, of course, but Moniz is Okay with that. The DOE's broader loan program has worked, he said, adding that a portfolio "probably shouldn't be 100 percent successful." The biggest green-car-related DOE loan failure to date has been Fisker Automotive, which will be sold at auction February 12. Moniz said he didn't want to voice support for one side or the other (Wanxiang Group from China and Hybrid Tech Holdings from Hong Kong), but said that no matter who drives away the winner will not be able to just take the technology to Asia. "What's key for us is that the terms of our loan are respected," he said. "We have technology transfer limitations, so no matter who the winner is, we will be looking at both engineering and manufacturing in the United States. ... Even though our note was sold at a discount, we still may achieve our fundamental goals of seeing engineering and manufacturing continuing in our country." Secretary Moniz Announces Nearly $50 Million to Advance High-Tech, Fuel Efficient American Autos WASHINGTON – At the Washington Auto Show today U.S.

Recharge Wrap-up: NextEV raises $500M, A123 execs beat fraud claims

Scientists at Cardiff University's Catalysis Institute have developed a new method to improve biodiesel yields. Using a new catalytic process, the team is able to use the glycerol left over from biodiesel production and make more methanol to produce more biodiesel. Using magnesium oxide and cerium oxide is simpler than other methods, requiring only one step at room temperature with normal atmospheric pressure. "We set out to establish ways in which the waste product glycerol could be used to form other useful compounds, but we were surprised when we found that feeding glycerol and water over such a simple catalyst gave such valuable products and interesting chemistry," says Professor Stuart Taylor. The system could increase biodiesel yields by as much as 10 percent. Read more at Gizmag, or from Cardiff University. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit claiming A123 Systems hid problems with Fisker from investors. The plaintiffs accused four A123 executives of failing to report Fisker's impending bankruptcy and issues with battery quality. US District Judge Laura Taylor Swain says there is not enough evidence showing that the defendants knew about problems with their batteries or about Fisker's financial difficulties. Read more at Reuters, or at Law360. Chinese startup NextEV is raising funds to build a Tesla-fighting electric car. The company, which plans to launch a supercar to match the acceleration of Tesla's Ludicrous Mode next year, has raised about half of its $1 billion goal thanks in part to investments from Sequoia Capital and Joy Capital. NextEV also plans to produce mass market electric vehicles at about half the price of a Model S. "Talking big is pointless," says NextEV cofounder William Li. "We develop the car purely from the angle of consumers. We most value what they would like the car to be. We want them to experience sheer pleasure of driving our car." Read more at Bloomberg. Featured Gallery 2012 Fisker Karma: First Drive View 23 Photos Related Gallery News Source: Gizmag, Cardiff University, Law360, Reuters, BloombergImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Earnings/Financials Green Fisker Automakers Tesla Biodiesel Green Automakers Electric recharge wrapup

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Long-term Review | Introducing something green

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — I'm stoked to drive this minivan. Legitimately. The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid is an impressive evolution of the minivan and a smart execution of electric technology. Why hasn't someone made a hybrid minivan until now? I ponder this as I unplug the charger and take my first spin in the Pacifica, the newest addition to the Autoblog long-term fleet. Sinking into the leather seats, I'm immediately relaxed. That's why you buy a minivan: comfort and convenience. Hybrid tech? Well that makes this thing sustainable and even cool. Whether your friends are swanky or wonky, play the plug-in hybrid card and your people hauler is cooler than theirs. What we got We went with the Pacifica Hybrid Limited. It starts at $44,995 and wears a beautiful shade of Ocean Blue. The interior features black and alloy pieces and leather. Power comes from the sturdy 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 dubbed the eHybrid for this application, and it works with an eFlite electrically variable transmission home to two motors making 84 and 114 hp. The hybrid battery pack has 96 lithium-ion cells that generate 16 kWh of energy. The net system power is 260 horsepower. In real-world driving, it's quick, torquey and more fun to drive than the average minivan. It can charge in two hours using a Level 2 charger and offers 33 miles of range on pure electricity. Collectively, it puts out 84 MPGe, and using just the Pentastar it's still rated at a robust 32 mpg in combined city and highway driving conditions. The Limited is the top-of-the line Pacifica trim, offering heated and vented front seats, an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen and 13 Alpine speakers as standard equipment. We added a safety and tech package ($995) that includes parking assist, a 360-degree surround view camera, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, seatback video screens and a Blu-ray DVD player. We also ticked the box for the hybrid appearance package ($395) to add 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, body color treatments for the mirrors and door handles, and a "Black Spear Applique" for the rear fascia. It's not worth your money. We topped it off with the $1,595 tri-pane sunroof, which is totally worth your money. Final cost including destination: $49,325. It's reasonable, considering the level of luxury the Limited offers, and as we all know, hybrid tech isn't cheap. If you can get the $7,500 federal tax credit the government offers on electrics, it's a great value.