News

Federal Government to Give NYC $354 Million for Congestion Pricing

Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters recently announced that the federal government will provide New York City with $354 million to implement congestion pricing in the City, if the State Legislature accepts Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal for charging traffic fees in Manhattan by March 2008.

Last month the legislature failed to show majority support for the Mayor’s hotly contested plan but did propose sending the issue to a study commission that would also consider other ways to reduce traffic in the Big Apple. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, with the backing of Governor Eliot Spitzer and Majority Leader Joseph Bruno formed a 17-member commission to serve as a framework for openly hammering out specifics over the next year, allowing legislators ample opportunity to answer questions.

The announcement from Peters is a major victory for Bloomberg, but does not guarantee that the congestion plan will win approval in Albany. The proposal still faces several hurdles. The commission will evaluate a host of traffic mitigation measures, including congestion pricing, and come up with recommendations. The commission must give assent to the Mayor’s plan — and the State Legislature and the City Council must act as well — before the proposal can go forward.

Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing proposal has attracted the broad support of business, labor, environmental and transportation groups, but he has been less successful at swaying state and city lawmakers representing the boroughs outside of Manhattan. Public opinion polls suggest that most Manhattan residents support the proposal but that residents of the other boroughs — Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx — do not. Nonetheless, the substantial federal support for the project gives enormous leverage to the Mayor as he continues to press for his proposal.

The Mayor’s plan, unveiled in April, proposes to charge car drivers $8 and trucks $21 a day to enter or leave Manhattan below 86th Street on weekdays during the workday. Those who drive only within the congestion zone would pay $4 a day for cars, $5.50 for trucks.

The $354 million is significantly less than the $536 million the Bloomberg administration initially requested from the federal government. It is, however, well over the $200 million minimum federal commitment that the Legislature had set as a precondition for its commission to develop a similar traffic plan that, according to Peters, must meet the same “performance goals” as Bloomberg’s plan in order to receive the full federal allocation of $354 million.

New York City was chosen to receive federal funding as part of a $1 billion federal traffic-mitigation grant for those communities that submitted proposals for Urban Partnership Agreements, part of a National Strategy to Reduce Congestion. Citing Bloomberg’s proposal as different because it’s “unlike anything we’ve ever tried before” and “its emphasis is on results”, Peters believes the congestion plan can be implemented quickly and will have an almost immediate impact on traffic in New York City.

London to Consider Higher Congestion Zone Charges for SUVs

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, recently announced that the city’s transit agency, Transport for London, will begin a consultation on a scheme to charge automobiles that emit the greatest amount of greenhouse gages—chiefly “Chelsea Tractors” (SUVs), some sports cars and expensive luxury vehicles—upward of $51 per day to drive in the central London Congestion Charging Zone. The zone presently covers parts of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea.

The consultation is being proposed as some vehicles produce as much as two to three times the amount of harmful emissions as the average family car. Within the congestion pricing zone, the highest CO2 emitting vehicles, which represent just 8 percent of the autos registered in London, would be subject to the higher charge and would have their residents’ discount revoked.

The majority of motorists within the zone would be unaffected, however, and the least polluting vehicles would receive a 100 percent discount and not pay any congestion charge at all according to Transport for London.

The proposed new charges include:

Low CO2 emitting cars will receive a 100 percent discount. Includes cars in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) Bands A and B (less than 120g CO2 per km) which also meet Euro 4 air quality standard.

The majority of cars—VED Bands C, D, E and those in F with emissions up to 225g CO2 per km—will continue to pay exactly the same daily charge as present.

The highest CO2 emitting cars—VED Band G and equivalent vehicles (above 225g CO2 per km), as well as those registered pre-March 2001 with engines larger than 3,000cc—will pay $51 per day.

Excluding aviation, transport in London accounts for 22 percent of CO2 emissions, with cars contributing nearly half of that figure. According to a poll conducted for the Mayor’s office, 64 percent of Londoners believe the most polluting vehicles in the city should pay a higher congestion charge.

To learn more about London’s congestion charging system, visit Transport of London’s website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/5667.aspx

California ARB Workshops to Focus on Hydrogen Production Standards

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will conduct two public workshops next month to discuss the environmental standards for hydrogen production and use in transportation in support of Chapter 877 of California State Senate Bill 1505.

Senate Bill 1505, signed into law in September 2006, directs the ARB to develop regulations that require environmental limits—including the reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, criteria air pollutant emissions and toxic air contaminant emissions—be achieved during the production and use of hydrogen.

Minimum requirements of the bill include:

Well-to-wheel emissions of greenhouse gases for the average hydrogen-powered vehicle fueled by hydrogen from fueling stations that receive state funds to be at least 30 percent lower than emissions for the average new gasoline vehicle in California when measured on a per-mile basis.

On a statewide basis, no less than 33 percent of the hydrogen produced for, or dispensed by, fueling stations that receive state funds be made from eligible renewable energy resources.

All hydrogen fuel dispensed from fueling stations that receive state funds be generated in a manner so that local well-to-tank emissions of nitrogen oxides plus reactive organic gases are at least 50 percent lower than well-to-tank emissions of the average motor gasoline sold in California when measured on an energy equivalent-basis.

Well-to-tank emissions of relevant toxic air and contaminants for hydrogen fuel dispensed from fueling stations that receive state funds be reduced to the maximum extent feasible at each site when compared to well-to-tank emissions of toxic air contaminants of the average motor gasoline fuel on an energy-equivalent basis. In no case shall the toxic emissions be greater than the emissions from gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis.

To be held in Sacramento on September 18th and in El Monte on the 19th, the workshops will provide an overview of the statutory requirements and ARB’s proposal for implementation, and discuss how to best implement the requirements of SB 1505.

To see a copy of chapter 877 of SB 1505, please visit: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/sen/sb_1501-1550/sb_1505_bill_20060930_chaptered.pdf

Study Examines Automotive Product Planning and Development Process

In response to increasing pressure for regulations mandating reductions in automotive fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) and Environmental Defense have produced a report that examines the decision process and factors implicit in forming a capital budget for a major vehicle or drivetrain program.

The study indicates that the process for bringing a motor vehicle to the North American market is much more difficult, time-constrained and dependent on numerous external factors not readily apparent to the general public.

Supplemented by confidential interviews, the following excerpts are included in the study entitled, “How Auto Makers Plan Their Products- A Primer for Policy Makers on Automotive Industry Business Planning”:

A great deal of public discussion has focused on petroleum use and greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. An inevitable response has been to call upon automakers to produce higher-mileage vehicles. Many policymakers have suggested regulations to spur more fuel efficient designs. But little effort has been made to explain to policymakers and the public the intricate decision-making process entailed in changing vehicle designs or adjusting product plans to meet new needs.

Understanding the process by which product planning and strategic business decisions are reached is a crucial foundation for developing sound approaches to meet the auto sector’s unique challenges related to energy use and climate change. To help understand these issues, this report reviews automotive product planning practices and synthesizes insights from a set of confidential, executive-level interviews. The interviews garnered perspectives from key individuals at companies accounting for 60 percent of the US automotive market—“How Automakers Plan Their Products.”

The process of developing a new program, whether for a new or redesigned vehicle or a powertrain, typically spans two and one-half years from concept to launch. The first six to twelve months of that process is critical. It is during this strategy development that the automakers set the major parameters defining the program and develop a business case. Parameters set at this point include market segment and competitive positioning, expected sales volume and price, and key vehicle attributes including size, performance, drivetrain and other major technology options.

A complete cycle plan—the layout, along a multi-year time axis, of a company’s plans for the design, engineering, tooling, launch and production life of all of its various vehicle lines and model—usually spans 10-15 years.

A copy of the joint CAR/Environmental Defense report can be accessed here:
http://www.cargroup.org/documents/ProductDevelopmentFinalReport7-30.a.pdf

GM Firm on Development and Production Timeline for Chevy Volt

Bob Lutz, General Motors Vice Chairman for Global Product Development, recently affirmed that GM will integrate a lithium-ion battery pack that meets the specific requirements of its “E-Flex” electric vehicle architecture system by October of this year, will begin road testing the Volt next spring and remains on track to begin production by late 2010.

GM and A123Systems have been collaborating on nanophosphate battery chemistry for use in GM’s electric drive E-Flex system. The resulting battery packs are expected to expedite the development of batteries for both plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) as well as fuel cell variants utilizing the auto company’s E-Flex architecture.

Earlier this year, GM awarded contracts for advanced development of battery packs which require the integration of multiple battery cells to Compact Power, Inc., a subsidiary of Korean battery manufacturer LG Chem, based in Troy, Michigan, and to Frankfurt, Germany-based Continental Automotive Systems, a division of Continental A.G., a tier one automotive supplier.

CPI will use battery cells developed by parent company LG Chem. Continental will use the cells being developed by GM and A123Systems.

Denise Gray, Director of GM’s Energy Storage Devices and Strategies, spoke positively of A123System’s work for GM by saying the company is a top-tier battery supplier with proven technologies and that GM is confident that their solutions will meet the battery requirements for the E-Flex System.

A123Systems currently manufactures more then 10 million cells annually, making it the largest producer of batteries with nanophosphate chemistry in the world. While most of these cells are used in rechargeable power tools, the company believes further advances in the technology will allow them to extend the cells for use in other transportation-related applications.

In May, A123Systems introduced its automotive-class, large format 32-series lithium-ion cells which are specifically designed for hybrid electric (HEV) and PHEV vehicles. The 32113M1Ultra high power cells are designed to meet requirements of HEV applications, with high power by volume and cost-per-watt. The 32157 M1HD cell uses a higher-energy electrode design geared specifically for PHEVs, and should offer greater volumetric energy density and the lowest cost-per-watt-hour. Currently used in the GM Saturn VUE PHEV Development Program, the 32157 M1HD cell is designed to offer superior calendar and life cycle at high depth-of-discharge (DOD), as well as excellent power density for charge-sustaining operation.

In addition to the Volt plug-in model, General Motors also plans to produce a plug-in version of the upcoming Saturn VUE Green Line two-mode hybrid.

For more information on the Chevy Volt, please see: http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/

For prior EESI coverage on the Chevy Volt, please see:
http://www.eesi.org/publications/Newsletters/CleanMotion/CM_Jan07.htm

Ford of Europe to Introduce New Low CO2 Models at Frankfurt Motor Show

Ford of Europe plans to introduce a select line of low CO2 vehicles at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The company’s “ECOnetic” models will use the latest common-rail diesel powertrains combined with other carefully-selected features engineered to reduce CO2 emissions. The first, to be launched by the end of 2007, will be the Ford Focus ECOnetic, which promises to deliver the best-in-class CO2 emissions for conventional powertrain technology at 115g/km.

The new Focus ECOnetic, which will be available in early 2008, is powered by a 108hp (80kW) 1.6 liter Duratorq TDCi engine with standard Diesel Particulate Filter, and delivers an average fuel consumption equivalent to 54.7 mpg by U.S. standards, which corresponds to the 115g/km CO2 emission measurement.

John Fleming, Ford of Europe President and CEO, said, “By launching specific models, with dedicated Ford ECOnetic badging, which achieve ultra-low CO2 results, we will give a clear alternative to those customers who prioritize low emissions performance in their purchasing decision.”

Ford reduced the drive resistance and improved the aerodynamics of the Focus by lowering the vehicle, adding aerodynamic improvement features and utilizing different tires.

A further measure to reduce driving resistance in the Focus ECOnetic is the introduction of a new low-viscosity transmission oil developed by Ford’s fuel partner British Petroleum (BP). Under testing, the efficiency benefits were found to be so significant that Ford plans to introduce this new transmission oil across other Ford products.

Nissan to Include Fuel Efficiency Gauge in New Models

Nissan Motor Company recently announced that it will equip all future new models with a fuel efficiency gauge to provide drivers with more information about how their driving styles directly relate to fuel economy. The feature will also be available to owners of current models scheduled for minor product upgrades, including most Japanese models and the Nissan Altima and Infiniti G35 in the United States.

The gauge provides drivers with both readings of fuel efficiency and average efficiency performance. By accelerating, for example, drivers can instantly see increases in fuel consumption reflected on the gauge. Based on Nissan’s trials, drivers have tended to improve their eco-driving habits due to witnessing such real-time fuel efficiency readings. Coupled with overall improvements such as smoother acceleration and braking, which also have positive impacts—up to 10 percent according to the company—on fuel efficiency, drivers should gain a clear sense of the savings and efficiency their vehicles are providing them.

The introduction of the fuel efficiency gauge builds on Nissan’s CARWINGS navigation system, which the company introduced in January 2007 “to educate and raise awareness among drivers on the impact of day-to-day driving habits on their vehicle’s fuel consumption average.” Although currently available only in Japan, the new service will provide drivers with data on their average fuel-consumption according to driving habits, and allows drivers to track and monitor improvements to their eco-driving skills over a period of time. The system can calculate the average fuel efficiency performance of each vehicle equipped with CARWINGS through data sent directly to the CARWINGS Center, where the data can be retrieved on the member’s personalized webpage.

Through the installment of the fuel efficiency gauge on the instrument cluster of Nissan model automobiles, the company hopes to further increase awareness of eco-driving to a wider segment of its driving audience.

CALSTART Announces 2007 Blue Sky Award Winners

CALSTART, North America’s leading advanced transportation consortium, has announced the 2007 winners of its prestigious Blue Sky Awards. The Awards recognize outstanding marketplace contributions to clean air, energy efficiency, and to the clean transportation industry overall by companies, organizations and individuals.

Recipients are selected for bringing new vehicles, fuels or technologies to market; for significant implementation of clean, sustainable transportation; or for noteworthy policy or technology breakthroughs that affect the marketplace.

This year’s award winners included:

Navistar International Corporation received the 2007 Blue Sky Award for its investment in the engineering, development, field assessment and 2007 production launch of medium-duty hybrid trucks earlier and faster than its competitors, making hybrids into a commercial product;

The 2007 Blue Sky Leadership Award honored the late Édouard Michelin, CEO and Managing Partner of the Michelin Group, for his global leadership to further advanced transportation technologies, most notably through the annual Challenge Bibendum vehicle efficiency competitions;

The Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award is given for innovative leadership actions in policy and technology that impacts and expands the clean transportation market, was awarded to:

James Hankla of the Port of Long Beach and David Freeman of the Port of Los Angeles for their unprecedented work together and with their organizations to create and implement the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan; and

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez for their passage of landmark legislation AB32: The California Global Warming Solutions Act.

Three Blue Sky Merit Awards, for meaningful actions supporting and expanding advanced transportation, were awarded to:

Cummins Westport for introducing and producing natural gas engines in a new market for heavier duty vehicles and for consistently meeting tough emission requirements in advance of regulations;

Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) for both helping launch the battery-powered, neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) market in 1998 and for continuing to improve, produce and expand vehicle sales in the years since; and

Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla for his company’s commitment to significant financial investments in the development of advanced transportation fuels and technology companies, leading the way for other investors in the process.

“Energy security and climate change worries have focused greater attention on the importance of advanced transportation,” said CALSTART President and CEO John Boesel. “With nearly four dozen quality nominees, it’s becoming increasingly more challenging to pick the most deserving winners.”

CALSTART selects the award winners in a review process together with a multi-disciplinary selection panel made up of environmental and industry leaders, including representatives from the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Lung Association of California and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

The Blue Sky Award has been presented since 1996 to industry leaders for outstanding marketplace actions in clean, advanced transportation. Past winners have included General Motors, ISE Corp., New Flyer, Toyota, Pickens Fuel, Ballard and others. The Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award, named for the longest serving former chair of the California Energy Commission, celebrates policy and technology innovation that moves markets. The Blue Sky Leadership Award is given periodically for outstanding personal leadership to expand advanced, sustainable transportation markets.

To learn more about WestStart-CALSTART, visit their website: http://www.calstart.org/

North Carolina Solar Center Launches New “Clean Transportation” Website

The North Carolina Solar Center’s Clean Transportation program at NC State University has launched a new website to help users’ access information about alternative fuel and advanced transportation technologies that help reduce harmful emissions and diversify fuel supplies.

Some of the features of the new website include:

Highlighting the most recent news items related to alternative fuel and advanced transportation technologies in North Carolina.

Featuring upcoming related events and promoting any clean transportation activity in the state.

Providing updated fact sheets that explain the latest developments and advances for alternative fuels and advanced technologies such as biodiesel, ethanol, compressed natural gas, and other mobile emission reduction technologies. Additional documents provide information on state and federal incentives, and updated lists of biofuel distributors and retail locations.

Documenting project developments and results.

Disseminating research related to alternative fuels and advanced transportation technology.

Serving as a clearinghouse for funding opportunities available to businesses, government and non-profit projects that reduce transportation-related emissions.

Recognizing exemplary efforts to reduce mobile emissions through success stories and Mobile CARE award.

Offering options to get involved with enhancing North Carolina’s economy and environment through transportation emission solutions

As a primary resource of alternative fuel and advanced transportation technologies for the residents of North Carolina, the website will strive to maintain the most up-to-date information and be user-friendly to the public.

Visit the North Carolina Solar Center’s new site here: www.cleantransportation.org