Vermont laws could pave the road to cleaner vehicles
Nearly a dozen states could limit emissions from cars and light trucks thanks to a Vermont judge, according to an article published by Reuters. In 2005 Vermont followed California's lead in calling for a 30 percent cut in the amount of CO2 emitted from automobiles starting with 2009 models. U.S. automakers have sued both states seeking to have the rules overturned, but Vermont's suit was the first to go to trial.
After nearly a month of testimony arguments finally concluded on May 8, with legal experts expecting U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions to file his ruling by September the article states.
The Vermont trial began shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in an unrelated case that CO2 can be regulated as a pollutant, rejecting a 2003 argument by the federal Environmental Protection Agency that it did not have authority over CO2 emissions. That ruling has weakened the auto industry's claim that the that the 10 states that have already adopted the regulations are overreaching, and that fuel efficiency in vehicles is meant to be federally regulated.
GM and DaimlerChrysler said they could not meet the Vermont standards and would be forced to stop doing business in the state as a result. Vermont has countered, saying the standards were realistic and crucial for maintaining the stable climate the state depends on.
U.S. automakers have been slow in adopting energy-saving technologies compared to their Asian rivals, claiming hybrid technology raises manufacturing costs to levels that would negatively affect their businesses. Japanese automaker Toyota has been building the Prius hybrid at a loss but expects cost-cutting on hybrid production to make the cars as profitable as traditional petrol-powered models by 2010, when the automaker expects to sell a million hybrids annually.
California created its stricter emissions laws beleiving the national government was doing too little to regulate CO2 from cars. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington adopted the California laws and Arizona, Maryland and New Mexico are also considering imposing the regulations.
Tesla will open 'stores', not dealerships
Tesla Motors is planning to sell its electric roadsters through factory-owned stores rather than franchised dealerships, according to
Automotive News.
"We can't hand over the car to an independent franchiser," said Darryl Siry, Tesla's vice president of marketing, in an interview with AN. "A traditional dealer would spend his time apologising for the car's shortcomings rather than talking up the benefits."
The all-electric vehicle could see decreases in performance over its lifetime, as the lithium-ion batteries lose their power-retaining ability.
Tesla's sales approach would be more akin to that of buying a computer from an Apple Store than a traditional dealership experience. The company expects to have an adequate retail presence by mid-2009, when its 'Whitestar' electric saloon is anticipated to go on sale.
The company has arranged for $45 million in venture capital to invest in stores accross the U.S., including New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami. In a second batch of openings, Tesla plans to target the San Diego, Seattle, Denver and Boston markets.
About 400 of the 1,200 roadsters Tesla plans to build annually have already been pre-sold. The first deliveries are scheduled to take place in November, right around the time the first store will open in Santa Monica, California.
The company has arranged for $45 million in venture capital to invest in stores accross the U.S., including New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami. In a second batch of openings, Tesla plans to target the San Diego, Seattle, Denver and Boston markets.
BMW’s Efficient Dynamics
We put them to the test in a 120dWith EU emissions regulations imminent, automakers are struggling to find ways of meeting the requirements. While some are opting simply not to import certain vehicles into the EU - as is the case with the new Subaru WRX STi - others are busy scouring through technology manuals to see what can be done to make their ever-increasing line-ups more efficient. And though hybrid powertrains and clean diesel technologies appear to be all the rage, BMW is not one to jump on any bandwagons.
At the multi-car launch in Highclere last week, BMW was touting their new Efficient Dynamics powertrain systems, which makes their vehicles more efficient without diluting the renowned driving experience. Featuring advanced technologies and intelligent energy management systems, Efficient Dynamics works in parallel with current engine and transmission technologies like HPI (high precision direct injection) and, specifically on six-cylinder petrol models, use piezo injectors in the direct vicinity of the spark plugs for a lean burn and efficient consumption process. The obvious benefit is fuel savings and a reduction in emissions.
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Nearly a dozen states could limit emissions from cars and light trucks thanks to a Vermont judge, according to an article published by Reuters. In 2005 Vermont followed California's lead in calling for a 30 percent cut in the amount of CO2 emitted from automobiles starting with 2009 models. U.S. automakers have sued both states seeking to have the rules overturned, but Vermont's suit was the first to go to trial.
