NEW DRIVELINES FROM VOLVO TRUCKS

Volvo Trucks is introducing a new range of engines and transmissions that give up to three percent lower fuel consumption, 40 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide and higher power outputs. At the start of the year, the company launched the world’s most powerful truck, a Volvo FH16 with a power output of 700 hp and is now introducing some of the market’s most fuel-efficient trucks. The focus is on the Volvo FH and Volvo FM with 13- and 11-litre engines, which account for the vast majority of Volvo Trucks’ sales. Volvo’s 7-litre engine, which powers the Volvo FE and Volvo FL, is also being launched in a new version.

All new Volvo Methane Trucks 2011

Volvo Trucks’ long-term product development focuses strongly on sustainable transportation. The company’s stand at IAA 2010 includes a Volvo FM with an engine that runs on methane and diesel, thus combining the diesel engine’s high efficiency rating with the benefits of gas power. The truck offers up to 40 percent better fuel efficiency than the gas-powered trucks currently on the market. During next year, Volvo Trucks will start limited production of trucks featuring this technology.

OFFICIAL Mack Trucks New Breed Cummins Engine

The OFFICIAL New Breed – Cummins Engine! The power to haul it all with Cummins grunt. Mack and Cummins have worked closely to develop premium Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) power packages for the new breed – and the ISC, ISL, ISX and Signature 600 engines really complement the New Breed range. The Mack MP8 and Cummins engines use the same emissions technology with a Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) and a self contained, cooled EGR system providing reliability without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

Verizon Using Hybrid Aerial Trucks in New York

In 2010, Verizon is purchasing more than 1100 alternative energy vehicles including hybrid and compressed natural gas-powered aerial trucks and vans, and hybrid pick-up trucks and sedans. The company will also increase its use of biodiesel and flex-fuel (E85) to power 470 vehicles. As an example of the company’s green fleet initiative, hybrid aerial trucks have already begun to be deployed in New York, reducing the amount of CO2 and the noise level.

Govt proposing that many trucks improve efficiency

Close race among Nye, Rigell and Golden as election day nears
The lackluster national economy, partisan loyalty and the federal stimulus are all at play in the nationally watched congressional race between Democratic U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, Republican Scott Rigell and Independent Kenny Golden in Hampton Roads.

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Qantas Cheers, Winemakers Jeer as Aussie Reaches Parity With U.S. Dollar
Qantas Airways Ltd. may be among the few Australian companies to celebrate after the nation’s currency strengthened to parity with the U.S. dollar, making planes and fuel cheaper while exporters’ profits drop.

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China scare offset by dollar drop
A decline in the dollar helped fuel a market rebound on Wednesday that nearly erased a big sell-off the day before brought on by fears of a slowdown in China. The dollar fell 1.2% against a broad basket of currencies as demand for safe-haven investments eased.

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Qantas Cheers, Winemakers Jeer Aussie’s Rise
Qantas Airways Ltd. may be among the few Australian companies to celebrate after the nation’s currency strengthened to parity with the U.S. dollar, making planes and fuel cheaper while exporters’ profits drop.

Read more on BusinessWeek

Govt proposing that many trucks improve efficiency
WASHINGTON – Future tractor-trailers, school buses, delivery vans, garbage trucks and heavy-duty pickup trucks must do better at the pump under first-ever fuel efficiency rules coming from the Obama administration. read more

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Trucks TV! Reduces Engine Heat by Changing to Synthetic

With synthetic oil it took about 20 less ft-lbs to turn those rollers. This translates into a direct reduction of drag in your drive train, less effort from the engine, and that means better gas mileage just by changing your fluids.

White House crackdown on dirty trucks gathers pace

New PAETEC Data Center Delivers Ultra-Fast Speeds and Network-Based Cloud Computing to Businesses Nationwide
ANDOVER, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PAETEC today announced the opening of an expansive, high-tech data center near Boston.

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Report reveals burgeoning green M&A activity
BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen , Wednesday 18 August 2010 at 12:48:00 Research from M&A advisers finds 54 per cent increase in level of deal activity The number of mergers and acquisitions completed in the alternative energy sector in the past year climbed more than 54 per cent to 391 deals worldwide, according to new figures suggesting investor confidence in the clean tech sector …

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Honeywell Delivers Upgraded Engines for UK Chinook Fleet
PHOENIX | Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today it has delivered the first 28 Honeywell T55-L-714A engines and fielding kits for the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) Chinook helicopters,…

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Cash for Clunkers: Boon or Boondoggle?
A look back at the impact of the Cash for Clunkers program. Who were the winners and losers. Car Allowance Rebate System – Cash for Clunkers – Recreation – Automobile – United States

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White House crackdown on dirty trucks gathers pace
BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen , Wednesday 18 August 2010 at 09:02:00 New emissions standards likely to be finalised next year after EPA completes draft rules Tough new US rules governing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from large trucks and buses edged forward last week when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent draft proposals to the White House. The agency has been working …

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Fuel Efficient Trucks From Volvo

The world’s primary source of fuel for different industries comes from the reserves of fossil fuels which is a non-renewable source of energy. Since fossil fuel is non-renewable, the world is in danger of running out of supply. While the current amount of fossil fuel reserves can still last a long time, steps have been taken by different industries to lessen their dependency on petroleum products. The automotive industry is one of the major sectors in the global community that has taken a step towards not only in the development of alternative fuel but in implementing the use of such fuel as well. Several car manufacturers now produce vehicles that run on alternative fuel or alternative fuel mixed with gasoline.

One of the more prominent car manufacturers that attend to the need of decreasing the consumption of gasoline is Toyota. The Japanese outfit has introduced their first hybrid car in Japan and eventually also produced such in the US. This vehicle is the Toyota Prius. The car is now the most popular hybrid car in production with a buyer base that is exponentially expanding in number. Another car manufacturer committed to the environmental protection cause is the Ford Motor Company subsidiary Volvo. The car manufacturer known for producing safe cars are also taking steps forward in the development of alternative fuels which is evident in their three models in that are already in production. These units employ the FlexiFuel technology thus allowing them to run on a combination of bio-ethanol and gasoline which is called E85.

Their FlexiFuel technology being already used by some of their models already is also being sold in selected European markets. This is not the only technology being developed by the Sweden-based car manufacturer. They are also following in the steps of Toyota and Honda which have been using hybrid technology in their cars. The vehicles employing the hybrid technology runs not only on gasoline alone but is also powered at some point by electricity via an electric motor that is capable of giving enough torque and horsepower to the vehicle. This technology is what Volvo is developing not for application on their passenger cars but actually for the use of their trucks.

Volvo is the world’s second largest manufacturer of trucks behind General Motors, but they are making their bid for supremacy in that segment. In the process, they have developed a hybrid truck that they aim to sell to different industries especially those with a large fleet of trucks. In the development of their hybrid trucks, they have teamed up with the US Air Force which will be the first to use the hybrid truck technology. The US Air Force has already ordered four of the said trucks and the construction of the units is already underway. The government agency can save on their fuel consumption by as much as 35 per cent depending on driving conditions and application.

The technology behind the hybrid truck which was developed hand in hand by Volvo and the US Air Force and such is known as the I-SAM or Integrated Starter Alternator Motor. This uses the big Volvo alternator which doubles as an electric motor to help the truck’s diesel engine to drive the truck. The use of the alternator as an electric motor results to a better fuel economy over trucks which are powered only by a diesel engine. Thanks to relatively lesser fuel consumption, emissions are reduced therefore helping in preservation of the environment. The exhaust system further cleans the gas emitted by the engine a fact that makes the hybrid electric truck from Volvo not only fuel efficient cut is also clean.

The use of the alternator as an electric motor is already being employed by the Saturn Vue hybrid car. The technology is almost similar except for the vehicle being driven since the I-SAM technology is made for a much heavier vehicle. The alternator or electric motor takes over the operation of the truck during idling and when less power is needed. It can also be used to give added boost to the truck’s diesel engine.

Increased Fuel Efficiency for Volvo Trucks

With the prices of fuel steadily rising, car owners are looking for ways to ease the pressure on their wallets. An answer provided by car manufactures, most notably Toyota and Honda, are hybrid vehicles which use an electric motor to drive their car along with whatever engine they are equipped with. These cars have been making great progress in terms of sales, focusing on the budget-conscious public. Fuel economy is significantly increased while still delivering great performance. Cars such as the Toyota Prius, which is the first mass produced hybrid automobile, are also environment friendly due to its lower emission levels.

Not only individuals are looking for ways to decrease their fuel consumption but also large companies which need trucks to transport their goods. On of these is Wal-Mart which recently announced that they are making a research on the possible use of hybrid technology in their truck fleet. Companies can increase their profits significantly if they can cut down their fuel consumption considerably. This is especially true for companies with a large fleet of trucks or buses. The answer, of course, is a hybrid truck that will use an electric motor to help its diesel engine – and that is just what Volvo has developed recently.

Joining forces with the US Air Force, Volvo has developed a hybrid truck technology using their I-SAM or the Integrated Starter Alternator Motor technology. The technology uses the starter alternator which doubles as an electric motor that will help a truck’s diesel engine drive the car thus increasing fuel economy as much as 35 per cent. The fuel efficiency is, of course, just like that of hybrid cars. It actually depends on the application and the driving conditions. But nonetheless, the hybrid truck has reduced fuel consumption compared to natural diesel engine-only trucks. The Volvo Group will start production of four of these hybrid-powered trucks this year for the US Air Force.

The actual mass production of the said trucks for civilian use will follow after field testing to assess their real capability under varying road and weather conditions. Scheduled for 2008 through 2009, the company aims to produce 300,000 units for the waiting market. Much anticipation can be expected from potential buyers for the release of the technology which will greatly help in the protection of the environment. Not only will these trucks have lower emissions than the natural trucks but their fuel efficiency will take lesser toll on the decreasing fossil fuel reserves available.

The technology employed by Volvo’s heavy-duty hybrid trucks, which is the use of the alternator as an electric motor, is currently employed by the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid car. With this technology, the alternator/electric motor takes over the operation of the car during idling and other circumstances where less power is needed. This not only decreases the fuel consumption but also adds power to the truck. Volvo’s hybrid truck’s electric motor can give out a maximum of 160 horsepower and works through an electronic box, an energy storage box, and a powertrain control unit.

The truck will also have high performance parts on all its systems from steering to suspension, with high quality Volvo shocks, down to the exhaust system which will further decrease the emission from the truck’s engine. The comfort of the driver will also be given attention aside from the safety features that Volvo is known for.

Local district first to use green trucks

American-made Crosley innovative, money-losing brand for 14 years
Powel C. Crosley Jr., owner of the Crosley (radio) Broadcasting Company and the Cincinnati Reds major league baseball team, had a lifelong dream: to build a subcompact automobile. From 1939 to 1952 his dream came true – to the tune of a few million dollars lost in the venture.

Read more on The Post and Courier

Hybrids accelerating
‘I let her be the guinea pig for about three to four months. I was very impressed by how much she loved her car,’ said Picek, a Norman resident.

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BP closing in on placing ‘static-kill’ plug in well
As early as Sunday, officials could move to cram the leaky well hole with mud and cement.

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Magic mushrooms
When the orange chanterelles are up, they look like fire spreading across cream. Ian Brown tracks the wild luxury to its forest home in Saskatchewan

Read more on The Globe and Mail

Local district first to use green trucks
The first of four electric trucks arrive at the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District in early August.

Read more on KSHB-TV Kansas City

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