Recharge Wrap-up: Cool new Euro VI railroader Unimog, Car2go hearts charity
Wed, Aug 6 2014
Carsharing group Car2go has launched a donation feature within its mobile app, called "ride2provide." The feature lets users find "heart cars," which, when used, include a $1 donation to Whole Planet Foundation. The money raised by the ride2provide program goes towards the Whole Planet Foundation's mission of providing microcredit to the poor for creating or expanding home-based businesses. Car2go's ride2provide program started August 4, and runs for 90 days. Learn more in the press release below.
China continues to pave the way for more EVs, but some people are still skeptical they'll catch on. Charging station operators will be forgiven some of their electricity fees until 2020, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). China has already extended tax exemptions on EVs through 2017. The NDRC is also urging local governments to offer subsidies and free charging. Still, the costs involved with installing chargers are keeping many from doing it, and many consumers are hesitant to become early adopters of EVs. Read more at ECNS.
car2go Launches "ride2provide" To Help car2go Communities To Work Together To Give Back
"ride2provide" To Be Integrated via car2go Mobile App Beginning August 4th
car2go To Donate To Whole Planet Foundation® As Program's First Exclusive Charity
car2go North America LLC, the fastest-growing global carsharing company, announced that it has launched "ride2provide," a donation feature to be integrated into the car2go mobile app for iPhone and android iOS beginning today, August 4th. The new initiative seeks to help car2go communities across its 15 locations and over 400,000 members in North America to work together in donating to a charitable cause, and will first kick off with a 90-day partnership with Whole Planet Foundation as the program's first exclusive charity.
With the new "ride2provide" feature, car2go members across North America will have the opportunity to view a number of "heart cars" labeled with $1 donations based on their current location within the Home Area, where members can pick up and drop off a vehicle. Members will then be able to select a "heart car" that they would like to use for their trip. For each "heart car" used, car2go will contribute a lump sum donation directly to the Whole Planet Foundation to support its efforts in alleviating global poverty through microcredit and entrepreneurship programs in 60 countries around the world, including the U.S.
"Since car2go's inception, we have long supported our members by helping them get from Point A to Point B with complete ease," said Paul DeLong, Chief Marketing Officer of car2go North America. "Our support for Whole Planet Foundation reinforces our commitment to the communities we serve, and we hope that by connecting our members through ride2provide, we can harness this power and help aspiring entrepreneurs around the world build a stronger future for us all."
"Purpose-driven partners like car2go help us to fund opportunities for the world's poorest entrepreneurs," said Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation. "Thanks to car2go and the ride2provide initiative, we hope to raise enough funds to provide an additional 2,000 microentrepreneurs with a small loan and a chance to start or expand their own home-based business and lift themselves out of poverty."
About car2go North America LLC
car2go North America LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation and a brand of moovel GmbH, offers an innovative mobility solution in rapidly growing urban areas via a carsharing network of eco-friendly smart fortwo vehicles around the world. A flexible and "on demand" mode of transportation, car2go complements existing public transportation by bridging the gaps between the "first and last mile" of a member's commute. Today, car2go is the largest, fastest-growing carsharing program in the world with more than 800,000 registered members in 27 cities across the globe.
The innovation and environmental sustainability of car2go have earned international acclaim, including "Best Carshare" from the Vancouver Courier, "2014 Best CarSharing App" from Best of D.C., recognition from the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the "Greater Austin Business Award" for its positive impact on the city's traffic, and the prestigious "2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award" from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Further information on car2go is available at car2go.com and media.daimler.com/ms/car2go/e.
About Daimler
Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world's biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance and innovative mobility services. The company's founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group's focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal to and fascinate its customers. For many years now, Daimler has been investing continually in the development of alternative drive systems with the goal of making emission-free driving possible in the long term. So in addition to vehicles with hybrid drive, Daimler now has the broadest range of locally emission-free electric vehicles powered by batteries and fuel cells. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world's most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, the brands smart, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, Fuso, Setra and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2013, the Group sold 2.35 million vehicles and employed a workforce of 274,616 people; revenue totaled ˆ118.0 billion and EBIT amounted to ˆ10.8 billion.
About Whole Planet Foundation
Founded in 2005, Whole Planet Foundation is a Whole Foods Market foundation that alleviates poverty worldwide where the company sources products. The nonprofit's mission is to empower the very poor living with microcredit and the chance to create or expand a home-based business and lift themselves and their families out of poverty, with a focus on the developing world. As of March 2014, Whole Planet Foundation is funding micro lending programs through microfinance institution partners in the U.S. and 59 other countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the U.S., supporting over 3,375,000 people with a chance for a better life. To date, the nonprofit has authorized more than $49.1 million dollars through microlending partners worldwide. Learn more and donate online at wholeplanetfoundation.org.
New Unimog by Mercedes-Benz sets environmental standards: Euro VI now also on the tracks
- More efficient and cleaner engines
- The advantage of the Unimog: No separate driving system needed
- Economic shunting with a howling power up to 1000 t
- Fast off-and on tracking
Stuttgart/Berlin - The road-railer Unimog has long become one of the familiar sights at the open air area of the international leading trade fair InnoTrans Berlin. (September 23 to 26, Open Air area South, booth G4/16). This year Mercedes-Benz is able to put forward a very special message: The new Unimog professional implement carrier puts the strict European exhaust emission standard Euro VI on the tracks. That is a new standard of environmental compatibility and efficiency for shunting work (with a howling power up to 1000 t) as well as maintenance work on the infrastructure of the tracks of the railway and local transport – the typical work fields of the legendary road-railer Unimog. The exhibited Unimogs show new and practice-oriented overall solutions for special operations that have been developed in co-operation with internationally acclaimed implement manufactures.
90 percent less emissions compared to Euro V
And that's what the technical progress looks like in numbers: The Euro VI engines for trucks reduce diesel particles and nitric oxide emissions by up to 90 percent compared to Euro V, compared to the state of affairs in1990 the emissions resulting from utility vehicles have decreased by values of 88 percent to 98 percent. Furthermore, the new engine generation is very efficient, due to its low maintenance and high-torque quality and makes significant saving potentials possible when it comes to fuel consumption compared to shunting locomotives that run on diesel. The Unimog U 423 is the vehicle predestined to be a road railer with a performance of 170 kW (231 hp).
Innovative transmission technologies with up to 50 km/h in both directions
The permanent all-wheel-drive that is typical for the Unimog series with longitudinal locks, as well as separate differential locks at the front and rear axis, the single tyres as well as the torque-converter-clutch for pulling heavy weights predestines the Unimog for road-railer operations. The transmission with eight forward gears and eight reverse gears enables speeds of up to 50 km/h in both directions. Part of the railway-certified equipment are also – depending on the customer's demand -for example railway lightening systems, dead man's handle or railway radio system.
The synergetical driving system "Easy Drive", yet another innovation of the new Unimog, is of great benefit to the road-railer. It allows a smooth increase or decrease of the working speed of up to 50 km /h without using the clutch and an easy change between a hydrostatic drive system and mechanical transmission while driving.
Newly arranged driver's cabin with well - conceived control concept
The "clear view cabin" – unobstructed view due to an extra large panorama window pane – of the new Unimog generation Euro VI presents itself in a new and modern design. The visual and functional effect of the short cap is thus even more emphasised. The new bumpers have integrated LED-lights as well as day time running lights. For a better view the windscreen wipers are now positioned above the windscreen. The clear view driver's cab thus offers an optimal and secure overview on the operation area, further improved through the newly available frontal camera monitor system.
The best working conditions are to be found by the driver and co-driver inside the cabin: A multi functional steering wheel, an adjustable steering column or the high-performance heating and air conditioning system. The instrument cluster for the driver's instruction has been newly conceptualised and has a large bright display. The controls have also been optimised. For example, there is now a control stalk to operate the driving functions like the transmission gear shift or the new premium engine brake.
No separate driving system required
What makes the Unimog so interesting for road- railer operations is that due to its compact axle dimensions it does not require a separate driving system even with different track widths. Using special rims and tyres the Unimog can be driven on both standard (1435 mm) and different international broad-gauge tracks on its road wheels. A hydraulically retractable rail guiding gear ensures a safe rail guiding system on the track. At a level access to the track of a minimum length of five meters, for example at rail crossings, the Unimog can simply off-track and keep on driving on the road with up to 90 km/h to the next work site. For its use on tracks in local transport there are rail guiding systems available that enable to drive curve radii of 18 meters. Various operations can be done with the road-railer Unimog, as for example greenery care alongside the road, cleaning the trackbed and train path and performing cleaning and maintaining work of signal stations or at the contact wire.
"ride2provide" To Be Integrated via car2go Mobile App Beginning August 4th
car2go To Donate To Whole Planet Foundation® As Program's First Exclusive Charity
car2go North America LLC, the fastest-growing global carsharing company, announced that it has launched "ride2provide," a donation feature to be integrated into the car2go mobile app for iPhone and android iOS beginning today, August 4th. The new initiative seeks to help car2go communities across its 15 locations and over 400,000 members in North America to work together in donating to a charitable cause, and will first kick off with a 90-day partnership with Whole Planet Foundation as the program's first exclusive charity.
With the new "ride2provide" feature, car2go members across North America will have the opportunity to view a number of "heart cars" labeled with $1 donations based on their current location within the Home Area, where members can pick up and drop off a vehicle. Members will then be able to select a "heart car" that they would like to use for their trip. For each "heart car" used, car2go will contribute a lump sum donation directly to the Whole Planet Foundation to support its efforts in alleviating global poverty through microcredit and entrepreneurship programs in 60 countries around the world, including the U.S.
"Since car2go's inception, we have long supported our members by helping them get from Point A to Point B with complete ease," said Paul DeLong, Chief Marketing Officer of car2go North America. "Our support for Whole Planet Foundation reinforces our commitment to the communities we serve, and we hope that by connecting our members through ride2provide, we can harness this power and help aspiring entrepreneurs around the world build a stronger future for us all."
"Purpose-driven partners like car2go help us to fund opportunities for the world's poorest entrepreneurs," said Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation. "Thanks to car2go and the ride2provide initiative, we hope to raise enough funds to provide an additional 2,000 microentrepreneurs with a small loan and a chance to start or expand their own home-based business and lift themselves out of poverty."
About car2go North America LLC
car2go North America LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation and a brand of moovel GmbH, offers an innovative mobility solution in rapidly growing urban areas via a carsharing network of eco-friendly smart fortwo vehicles around the world. A flexible and "on demand" mode of transportation, car2go complements existing public transportation by bridging the gaps between the "first and last mile" of a member's commute. Today, car2go is the largest, fastest-growing carsharing program in the world with more than 800,000 registered members in 27 cities across the globe.
The innovation and environmental sustainability of car2go have earned international acclaim, including "Best Carshare" from the Vancouver Courier, "2014 Best CarSharing App" from Best of D.C., recognition from the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the "Greater Austin Business Award" for its positive impact on the city's traffic, and the prestigious "2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award" from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Further information on car2go is available at car2go.com and media.daimler.com/ms/car2go/e.
About Daimler
Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world's biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance and innovative mobility services. The company's founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group's focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal to and fascinate its customers. For many years now, Daimler has been investing continually in the development of alternative drive systems with the goal of making emission-free driving possible in the long term. So in addition to vehicles with hybrid drive, Daimler now has the broadest range of locally emission-free electric vehicles powered by batteries and fuel cells. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world's most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, the brands smart, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, Fuso, Setra and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2013, the Group sold 2.35 million vehicles and employed a workforce of 274,616 people; revenue totaled ˆ118.0 billion and EBIT amounted to ˆ10.8 billion.
About Whole Planet Foundation
Founded in 2005, Whole Planet Foundation is a Whole Foods Market foundation that alleviates poverty worldwide where the company sources products. The nonprofit's mission is to empower the very poor living with microcredit and the chance to create or expand a home-based business and lift themselves and their families out of poverty, with a focus on the developing world. As of March 2014, Whole Planet Foundation is funding micro lending programs through microfinance institution partners in the U.S. and 59 other countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the U.S., supporting over 3,375,000 people with a chance for a better life. To date, the nonprofit has authorized more than $49.1 million dollars through microlending partners worldwide. Learn more and donate online at wholeplanetfoundation.org.
New Unimog by Mercedes-Benz sets environmental standards: Euro VI now also on the tracks
- More efficient and cleaner engines
- The advantage of the Unimog: No separate driving system needed
- Economic shunting with a howling power up to 1000 t
- Fast off-and on tracking
Stuttgart/Berlin - The road-railer Unimog has long become one of the familiar sights at the open air area of the international leading trade fair InnoTrans Berlin. (September 23 to 26, Open Air area South, booth G4/16). This year Mercedes-Benz is able to put forward a very special message: The new Unimog professional implement carrier puts the strict European exhaust emission standard Euro VI on the tracks. That is a new standard of environmental compatibility and efficiency for shunting work (with a howling power up to 1000 t) as well as maintenance work on the infrastructure of the tracks of the railway and local transport – the typical work fields of the legendary road-railer Unimog. The exhibited Unimogs show new and practice-oriented overall solutions for special operations that have been developed in co-operation with internationally acclaimed implement manufactures.
90 percent less emissions compared to Euro V
And that's what the technical progress looks like in numbers: The Euro VI engines for trucks reduce diesel particles and nitric oxide emissions by up to 90 percent compared to Euro V, compared to the state of affairs in1990 the emissions resulting from utility vehicles have decreased by values of 88 percent to 98 percent. Furthermore, the new engine generation is very efficient, due to its low maintenance and high-torque quality and makes significant saving potentials possible when it comes to fuel consumption compared to shunting locomotives that run on diesel. The Unimog U 423 is the vehicle predestined to be a road railer with a performance of 170 kW (231 hp).
Innovative transmission technologies with up to 50 km/h in both directions
The permanent all-wheel-drive that is typical for the Unimog series with longitudinal locks, as well as separate differential locks at the front and rear axis, the single tyres as well as the torque-converter-clutch for pulling heavy weights predestines the Unimog for road-railer operations. The transmission with eight forward gears and eight reverse gears enables speeds of up to 50 km/h in both directions. Part of the railway-certified equipment are also – depending on the customer's demand -for example railway lightening systems, dead man's handle or railway radio system.
The synergetical driving system "Easy Drive", yet another innovation of the new Unimog, is of great benefit to the road-railer. It allows a smooth increase or decrease of the working speed of up to 50 km /h without using the clutch and an easy change between a hydrostatic drive system and mechanical transmission while driving.
Newly arranged driver's cabin with well - conceived control concept
The "clear view cabin" – unobstructed view due to an extra large panorama window pane – of the new Unimog generation Euro VI presents itself in a new and modern design. The visual and functional effect of the short cap is thus even more emphasised. The new bumpers have integrated LED-lights as well as day time running lights. For a better view the windscreen wipers are now positioned above the windscreen. The clear view driver's cab thus offers an optimal and secure overview on the operation area, further improved through the newly available frontal camera monitor system.
The best working conditions are to be found by the driver and co-driver inside the cabin: A multi functional steering wheel, an adjustable steering column or the high-performance heating and air conditioning system. The instrument cluster for the driver's instruction has been newly conceptualised and has a large bright display. The controls have also been optimised. For example, there is now a control stalk to operate the driving functions like the transmission gear shift or the new premium engine brake.
No separate driving system required
What makes the Unimog so interesting for road- railer operations is that due to its compact axle dimensions it does not require a separate driving system even with different track widths. Using special rims and tyres the Unimog can be driven on both standard (1435 mm) and different international broad-gauge tracks on its road wheels. A hydraulically retractable rail guiding gear ensures a safe rail guiding system on the track. At a level access to the track of a minimum length of five meters, for example at rail crossings, the Unimog can simply off-track and keep on driving on the road with up to 90 km/h to the next work site. For its use on tracks in local transport there are rail guiding systems available that enable to drive curve radii of 18 meters. Various operations can be done with the road-railer Unimog, as for example greenery care alongside the road, cleaning the trackbed and train path and performing cleaning and maintaining work of signal stations or at the contact wire.
Featured Gallery Mercedes-Benz Road-Railer Unimog Generation Euro VI
- News Source: Car2go, Daimler, ECNS
- Image Credit: Daimler
- Government/Legal
- Green
- Mercedes-Benz
- Electric
- recharge wrapup
- car2go
- unimog
- euro 6
By John Beltz Snyder
See also: Sales start for $146,000 Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug In Hybrid, 8 automakers, 15 utilities collaborate on open smart-charging for EVs, 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA priced from $31,300*.