There has never been a better time for automobile startups and technology companies to help reshape the world of car making. Things are looking up.
- Hyundai Tackles Toyota. The new Huyndai Sonata Hybrid dues out by 2011 wants to compete directly with Toyota’s Prius, according to AutoGuide. It will depend on pricing and performance.
- The Renault & EDF Fruits. A while back we talked about Renault working with French utility EDF to plan for electric vehicles, EV. AutoBlogGreen reports a pilot program that it will go into effect in Paris (of course) by September 2010.
- WSJ Takes A Stand Against CAFE. An interesting article from the WSJ that takes a stand against CAFE saying it will only force Americans to buy bigger cars from foreign manufacturers. A gasoline tax would be better. While all of this makes sense in the current market with gas prices as they are, but it does not take into gasoline price fluctuations that will ultimately make consumers choose cars that match their operating budgets.
- GM Hints At Plug-Ins. Riding the tail of our previous posts that GM is only focusing on a series plug-in hybrid, S-PHEV, news from Reuters come that the company wants to use the work it did on the Saturn Vue hybrid project.
- Solar Power Cargo Ship. A cargo ship with solar panels is docked Long Beach, California as a project between the port, Toyota and shipping company NYK Line. It draws 10% of its electricity from the solar panels that goes directly to the electric grid, effecting thrusters, hydraulics and steering gear, via EcoGeek.
That is it for now. Stay tuned for more.