IEA Says NGV Use Growing; Still Smart Part of Transportation
A new working paper by the International Energy Agency says natural gas will play a significant role in cutting on-road vehicle carbon dioxide emissions, but in the long term, a commitment must be made to transition over to very low CO2 gas sources. Natural gas may be especially important for cutting CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, the report says.
Tesla Gives Roadster to Toyoda in Gratitude for Investment, Global Alliance
Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk traveled to Tokyo to open its first Asian showroom and to give Toyota President Akio Toyoda a metallic red Roadster 2.5. Tesla is grateful for having access to the NUMMI plant and investment from Toyota Motor Co., which includes developing an all-electric Toyota RAV4.
Chrysler Working to Improve Residual Values
Chrysler dependability problems and the uncertainty surrounding the bankruptcy hurt residual values of their models. In an effort to rebuild their leasing position and reputation, Chrysler is actively working to improve dependability and controlling production and price to raise residual values.
Ford Turns to Outside Suppliers to Develop EV Drivetrain Technologies
Ford is doing something unusually entrepreneurial for OEMs with its battery car efforts - turning to two outside suppliers to get it done more quickly. Canadian mega-supplier Magna is taking the lead role in developing the Focus Electric, and another Canadian firm, Azure Dynamics, is spearheading the Transit Connect battery van project.
Telematics Can Change Driver Behavior, Save Fleets Money
Telematics solutions tap into GPS and vehicle sensor data and report wirelessly to fleet and operations managers. Implemented correctly, data monitoring and corrective action can pay back the cost of telematics largely in fuel savings and save fleets money.
