Recharge Wrap-up: Couple wins Toyota Mirai; Tesla Gigafactory wages reported
Sat, Nov 22 2014
The salaries for 6,500 full-time employees at Tesla's Gigafactory battery production facility have been reported. According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, the 4,550 production associates and 200 material handlers will be paid $22.79 an hour. 460 equipment technicians and 360 quality technicians will get $27.88 an hour. 930 engineers and senior staff will earn $41.83, or $87,000 a year. Tesla plans to staff 6,500 people at the Reno, Nevada-based Gigafactory by 2020. Read more at the Reno Gazette-Journal or at Teslarati.
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has elected its governing board members. The board leaders include Sprague Operating Resources Chairman Steven J. Levy, Minnesota Soybean Processors Vice Chair Ron Marr, American Soybean Association Treasurer Mike Cunningham and Nebraska Soybean Board Secretary Greg Anderson. NBB also filled four more spots on the board, discussed federal policies, began program planning and recognized outstanding member involvement in the biodiesel industry. Read more at Biodiesel Magazine.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has reported progress on renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production. The DOE calls electrolysis, photoelectrochemical, biological and solar-thermochemical key areas of hydrogen production and has made advances in each. The DOE is looking into technological advancements in making the clean fuel and ways to reduce production costs. The DOE has also outlined various plans for the 2015 fiscal year with regard to advancing hydrogen technology, with the goal of getting hydrogen prices in line with other fuels. Read more at Green Car Congress.
Toyota Mirai Winners Celebrate The Future
November 19, 2014
TORRANCE, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2014) – When Marianne Ellis bought the winning ticket for the Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle, she had her husband, David, in mind. While attending the annual Environmental Media Awards, she grabbed the last minute ticket as a potential 30th wedding anniversary gift. Surprise honey!
Both David and Marianne were at the Los Angeles Auto Show today to receive ceremonial Toyota keys. They were among the first to get behind the wheel of this revolutionary technology before it arrives in California in the fall of 2015.
A steadfast supporter of environmental efforts, David Ellis had been looking for his next eco-friendly set of wheels. The Environmental Media Association (EMA) auctioned off tickets to win the Toyota Mirai at the Oct. 18 awards ceremony, and Marianne Ellis's ticket made the couple one of the first owners of the vehicle.
"For us, it's about being at the cutting edge of change," said Marianne Ellis. "It's a chance to support environmental causes and clean energy, while showing it's possible to make a car like this part of your lifestyle."
The Toyota Mirai is an all-electric, four-door, mid-size sedan that emits nothing but water vapor. Mirai's fuel cell stack combines hydrogen gas from tanks with oxygen to produce electricity that powers the vehicle. It takes about five minutes to refuel and has a range of up to 300 miles.
"The first Toyota Mirai drivers will be trailblazers and lead drivers into the future," said Bob Carter, senior vice president, automotive operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We're excited to have David and Marianne lead the fuel cell movement in Los Angeles."
Proceeds from the vehicle auction benefited EMA environmental programs. EMA President Debbie Levin said participants like Marianne and David Ellis show the willingness of influential Los Angeles residents to learn and embrace new environmentally focused technology.
"We hear so much enthusiasm and demand to be part of the next big thing in sustainable technology," Levin said. "Through the Prius, Toyota has established the credibility to set off a whole movement around fuel cell technology and the Mirai."
For more information about the Toyota Mirai, visit www.toyota.com/mirai.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we've built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants and directly employ more than 40,000 people. Our 1,800 North American dealerships sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company's extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
November 19, 2014
TORRANCE, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2014) – When Marianne Ellis bought the winning ticket for the Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle, she had her husband, David, in mind. While attending the annual Environmental Media Awards, she grabbed the last minute ticket as a potential 30th wedding anniversary gift. Surprise honey!
Both David and Marianne were at the Los Angeles Auto Show today to receive ceremonial Toyota keys. They were among the first to get behind the wheel of this revolutionary technology before it arrives in California in the fall of 2015.
A steadfast supporter of environmental efforts, David Ellis had been looking for his next eco-friendly set of wheels. The Environmental Media Association (EMA) auctioned off tickets to win the Toyota Mirai at the Oct. 18 awards ceremony, and Marianne Ellis's ticket made the couple one of the first owners of the vehicle.
"For us, it's about being at the cutting edge of change," said Marianne Ellis. "It's a chance to support environmental causes and clean energy, while showing it's possible to make a car like this part of your lifestyle."
The Toyota Mirai is an all-electric, four-door, mid-size sedan that emits nothing but water vapor. Mirai's fuel cell stack combines hydrogen gas from tanks with oxygen to produce electricity that powers the vehicle. It takes about five minutes to refuel and has a range of up to 300 miles.
"The first Toyota Mirai drivers will be trailblazers and lead drivers into the future," said Bob Carter, senior vice president, automotive operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We're excited to have David and Marianne lead the fuel cell movement in Los Angeles."
Proceeds from the vehicle auction benefited EMA environmental programs. EMA President Debbie Levin said participants like Marianne and David Ellis show the willingness of influential Los Angeles residents to learn and embrace new environmentally focused technology.
"We hear so much enthusiasm and demand to be part of the next big thing in sustainable technology," Levin said. "Through the Prius, Toyota has established the credibility to set off a whole movement around fuel cell technology and the Mirai."
For more information about the Toyota Mirai, visit www.toyota.com/mirai.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we've built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants and directly employ more than 40,000 people. Our 1,800 North American dealerships sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company's extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
Related Gallery 2016 Toyota Mirai
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Related Gallery Tesla Motors Gigafactory plan
- News Source: Toyota, Biodiesel Magazine, Green Car Congress, Teslarati, Reno Gazette-Journal
- Image Credit: Toyota
- Green
- LA Auto Show
- Tesla
- Toyota
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- recharge wrapup
By John Beltz Snyder
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