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Recharge Wrap-up: Elon Musk in Reddit AMA; Honda releases annual environmental report

Mon, Jan 5 2015

Elon Musk will answer questions in a Reddit AMA tonight. The "Ask Me Anything" event will begin at 9:00 pm EST, and will last one hour. Musk will answer as many reader questions as he can in the allotted amount of time. Reddit's /r/TeslaMotors board is selecting official questions from users to pose to Musk as well. If you have any aching inquiries for the CEO of Tesla and Spacex, you probably don't want to miss this. Read more at Clean Technica, or at Reddit.

Powertree Services plans to build solar-powered EV charging at San Francisco apartment buildings. The group will rent parking spaces at apartment buildings and put solar panels on the roof. Tenants with EVs can pay a monthly fee to charge their cars at their own apartments and Powertree Services parking spots around town. It takes the responsibility of building and maintaining the chargers off the building owners, but provides them with some revenue from renting the space to Powertree. Read more at Treehugger.

The market for environmentally friendly cars will remain strong despite cheap oil prices, according to IHS Automotive Advisory Services. James Chao, director of the company's Asia-Pacific region, says his clients are still very focused on fuel economy. IHS has predicted green car production to triple by 2020 from 2014 figures. Hyundai and Kia, who are clients of Chao, have new EVs, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles on the way - a seemingly "unfocused" plan that Chao defends. "Especially at times when uncertainty is dominant, it could well be referred to as being prudent," he says. Read more at The Korea Herald.

Honda has released its annual North American Environmental Report. In the report, Honda notes environmental progress it has made over the last year in a number of areas. It points out the introduction of the 2014 Accord Hybrid and the FCV Concept. It enumerates reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in transportation, use of its products and even from Honda's suppliers (however, there was a 0.7 percent rise in CO2 emissions during manufacturing due to, or rather "despite a significant increase in production"). Honda is using less water, and producing less waste - only 0.8 kilograms are sent to the landfill per car manufactured. Honda also worked with SolarCity to get solar panels on 1,650 rooftops in the US. Read more on Honda's website.

Marco Andretti will race in the Formula E Buenos Aires ePrix. Driving for Andretti Racing, the IndyCar veteran will race his first laps behind the wheel of an electric car on January 10. Despite never having driven the car, Marco Andretti is ready to take on the challenge. "It's a bit of an unfamiliar situation for me but the team's pace looks solid enough for a great result," he says. "I like unknown situations." Read more in the press release below.

MARCO ANDRETTI TO RACE IN BUENOS AIRES EPRIX

INDIANAPOLIS, USA (January 2 2015): Marco Andretti is to drive for the Andretti Formula E Team during the forthcoming FIA Formula E Buenos Aires ePrix held on January 10 2015. The Argentinian race weekend, the fourth race in the new series, will see the American complete his first laps in the electric-powered seat.

A nine-year veteran of the Verizon IndyCar Series, Andretti is excited to try his hand at the all-electric series. "I've been looking forward to the chance to get behind the wheel of a Formula E car," said Andretti. "Having never been in the car, it's a bit of an unfamiliar situation for me but the team's pace looks solid enough for a great result. I like unknown situations; I'm up for the task."

The third-generation racer will be the only American competing on the 12-turn circuit at Puerto Madero. The Michael Andretti-led team is currently fifth in the championship standings.

For more information on Formula E, or the forthcoming Buenos Aires ePrix, visit www.fiaformulae.com.

Related Gallery 2014 Formula E Punta del Este ePrix
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  • News Source: Clean Technica, Reddit, Treehugger, The Korea Herald, Honda, Formula E
  • Image Credit: Honda
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By John Beltz Snyder


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