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Renault invests in sailing ships to reduce its carbon footprint

Renault is taking a page from the golden age of sailing as the company looks towards reducing its carbon footprint through the use of cargo sailing ships. The French automaker recently announced its partnership with Neoline, a start-up enterprise based in the west of France. The firm specializes in reducing the cost and emissions of typical cargo ships, by reintroducing sailing into the transportation equation. Renault's goal is to reduce its global carbon footprint by 25 percent in 2022, as compared to where they were in 2010. This plan also includes a separate target, to lower supply chain emissions - which includes shipping methods such as trucks, trains, and cargo ships - by 6 percent, compared to levels in 2016. Two prototype cargo vessels, complete with a full set of sails, will be introduced by 2021-22. These two ships will travel between the U.S. eastern seaboard (exact locations are TBD) and the French port cities of Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Pierre & Miquelon. Specifics about what exactly the ships will be carrying has not been released, though Renault is part of an extensive global auto alliance that includes Nissan and Mitsubishi. "For nearly 10 years, we have been working to identify the most environmentally sustainable solutions," said Jean-Francois Salles, Alliance global director, production control. "For example, optimizing the fill rates of the containers and trucks, producing eco-friendly packaging, and implementing a multi-modal system." The current demonstration vessel measures in at 446 feet in total length and has more than 45,000 square-feet of sail. For all you big ship fans out there, the Titanic was about double this size, stretching about 882-feet in length. When powered solely by the wind, Neoline CEO, Jean Zanuttini, says that total emissions drop by as much as 90 percent, versus the carbon footprint of a traditional cargo vessel. Related Video: Green Mitsubishi Nissan Renault Green Culture Technology renault-nissan greenhouse gases shipping ship cargo ship

Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan Leaf brake investigation, EV market will grow in China

Electric vehicles are expected to significantly cut into the gasoline-powered vehicle market in China. According to analysts at Frost & Sullivan, gas vehicles will drop to 94.9 percent of the market, while EVs will reach 4.2 percent by 2020. China's EV incentives, as well as a push in technology innovations, are credited for the rising popularity of plug-in cars. Despite awareness issues and supply shortages holding EVs back, "the Chinese powertrain market will remain buoyant, with increased customer purchasing power and self-esteem needs triggering vehicle sales," according to Frost & Sullivan researcher Ming Lih Chan. The big winners in this equation will be the suppliers of EV components in China. Read more in the press release below. The Canadian government is investigating possible brake failure issues with the Nissan Leaf. The Transport Canada investigation will look at 2013 to 2015 models, which could be experiencing brake malfunctions in severe cold weather. In the US, drivers have reported problems such as aggressive response to driver input and jerky braking, with some problems going away when the weather got warmer. NHTSA hasn't begun an investigation of its own, so far. Read more at Hybrid Cars. Sunspeed Enterprises has started an Indiegogo campaign to fund the installation of EV chargers along the Pacific Coast Sun Trail. As part of creating a 700-mile network of EV Infrastructure along the Pacific Coast Highway, this particular campaign is helping pay for a charging hub powered by renewable energy at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. Donors will receive rewards such as shirts and mugs, as well as charging credits and discounts. At the highest level, a $10,000 donation will net the donor free charging for life at any Sunspeed charging hub. Learn more at Indiegogo. Featured Gallery 2013 Nissan Leaf View 55 Photos News Source: Frost & Sullivan, Hybrid Cars, Transport Canada, Indiegogo Green Recalls Nissan Safety Electric recharge wrapup

Nissan NV200 taxi goes on sale in NYC while mandate still being figured out

Cab drivers in New York City may not be mandated to purchase the Nissan NV200 "Taxi of Tomorrow" per the orders of a Supreme Court Judge, but that isn't stopping Nissan from beginning sales of the bright yellow people movers.
Speaking to Automotive News, Howard Koeppel, a Queens-based dealer said, "We just got them about three days ago, and we've sold five to individual operators. They're good cars." A fully loaded example of the Mexican-built taxi is priced at $29,700, and are due to officially begin service on October 28.
The NV is meant to be the go-to vehicle for NYC cabbies, mandated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, although the process of switching over the city's 15,000 cabs has been ensnarled by legal proceedings virtually since the word "go."