Tag Archives | Eco

Volvo Uses Sun Simulation To Ensure Low Interior Emissions In Cars

On January 28, 2009 in Hybrids

VolvoAll new models are verified as if they were parked in Mediterranean sun, to measure the interior emissions in 65º Centigrade. In this temperature, normally, interior materials would release harmful emissions. But Volvo has minimised harmful emissions in the car interior, by using allergy-friendly textiles and carefully chosen materials.

There are no societal standards for in-car air, so Volvo Cars has created its own in-car air quality requirements that are used when developing new Volvo models.

To fulfil the Volvo requirements, all interior textiles are Oeko-Tex certified, and other interior materials, components and systems have to pass strict tests both at the suppliers’ and at Volvo Cars Material Laboratory. “Interior trim materials are not approved for use in our car interiors until they pass our strict tests”, explains Patrik Libander, responsible for interior material tests at Volvo Cars. Continue Reading →

Student Innovators to Unveil Environmentally-Driven EcoCAR Designs

On January 27, 2009 in Hybrids

the-next-car-challenge-logo

In just over a week, student teams selected to participate in EcoCAR: the NeXt Challenge will unveil their cutting-edge plans to design and build advanced propulsion systems that could define the next generation of ‘green’ vehicle technologies. Seventeen teams, selected from universities across North America, are being challenged to engineer advanced vehicle solutions to increase fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These ground-breaking architectures will be brought to life through a soon-to-be announced green interactive virtual forum that defines innovation and creativity. These green designs, along with the challenge’s newest sponsors will be announced at an EcoCAR press conference at the Washington Auto Show, in Washington D.C. Continue Reading →

2009 Honda Insight Hybrid to Make World Debut at the NAIAS

On December 3, 2008 in Hybrids, Passenger Cars

2009 Honda Insight Hybrid

The all-new 2009 Honda Insight hybrid will make its world debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The five-passenger, five-door Insight will go on sale in the spring of 2009.

The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year – approximately 100,000 in North America – and will utilize a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™).

A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced to market the first mass produced low-emission gasoline vehicles; America’s first commercially produced gas-electric hybrid car and the world’s first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named “greenest automaker” by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.