Toyota Prius tops rankings yet again for FIA's Ecotest

Environmental concerns are growing uncontrollably, especially in this day and age when there is ample technology, brainpower and financial back up to provide us with vehicles that release less pollutants and meet environmentally friendly emission standards.

That is why the organization FIA foundation (Federation Internationale de l' Automobile) has emerged with its EcoTest program which specifies the strengths and weaknesses of passenger cars. Launched in 2003, the EcoTest program has built a profile consisting of the environmental performance of a range of popular car models in the European market. The database is set up by the German automobile club ADAC and sponsored by the FIA Foundation. EcoTest assesses the emissions of pollutants ( HC, CO, NO_x and PM) and the emissions of the green house gas carbon dioxide. The star rating is calculated by a sum of rating pollutants and CO2. The outcome is a simple and comprehensible rating of 1 to 5 stars for each car. -Continued: Click "Read More..." below

According to the latest ranking, the Toyota Prius hybrid still holds the first place for the most “environmentally friendly” car in the European market.

On the other hand, natural gas vehicles have taken 2nd and 9th rankings in the FIA EcoTest. The Volvo V70 2.4 Bi-fuel was second within just two points of taking out 1^st place indicating that biomass fuels have significant potential for CO2 reduction and are likely to outstrip conventional fuel performance in the future. At the bottom of the table, with the highest pollution rating, was the VW Sharan 2.8 Gasol along with the Kia Rio 1.5 diesel which had a high CO2 emissions rating.

Diesel fuelled cars have made startling progress in overtaking their rivals by cutting emissions and reducing pollution. Diesel technologies such as particle filters and selective catalytic reduction show “very promising results”, according to EcoTest.

Posted By Chris

Chris is a friend of mine who's a professional journalist by day and hopefully, a blogger by night!

Toyota Worldwide Hybrid Sales Surpass 1 Million Mark

To be exact, as of May 31, 2007, Toyota has sold an amazing 1,047,000 hybrid car units worldwide. In all honestly, who’d believe back in 1997 when Toyota launched the first Prius in Japan, that ToMoCo would manage to pull it off selling over a million hybrid cars in 10 years? We dare to say that this accomplishment is even more astonishing than the fact that ToMoCo is one step away this year from dethroning GM as the world’s largest car manufacturer. Follow the jump for the official press release along with the chronology of Toyota’s Hybrid love affair and an analytical sales chart. -Continued

PRESS RELEASE: Tokyo - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that global cumulative sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles have topped the 1 million mark, with approximately 1,047,000 units sold worldwide as of May 31, 2007.

Toyota launched the Prius—the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle—in Japan in 1997 and began selling it in North America, Europe and elsewhere in 2000.

The second-generation Prius, equipped with the Toyota Hybrid System II, was introduced in 2003 with an emphasis on delivering both environmental performance and power. Over time, Toyota has expanded the use of its hybrid system to minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and other vehicles. Hybrid vehicles have been enjoying good sales both in Japan and in over 40 countries and regions around the world, particularly North America.

Toyota began overseas production of hybrid vehicles in Changchun, China in 2005 and in Kentucky in the United States in 2006.

Toyota has calculated that as of April 30, 2007, worldwide sales of its hybrid vehicles since 1997 have greatly contributed to reductions in CO₂ emissions, which are considered a cause of global warming, by producing approximately 3.5 million fewer tons of CO₂ compared with the same class gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance.

Toyota has positioned environmental responses as a priority management issue, and as such has made a concerted effort to popularize hybrid systems. It will actively continue to find ways to utilize the system’s high degree of applicability to double its hybrid lineup and will aim to achieve annual sales of 1 million units in the early part of the 2010s.

Technorati: Toyota, Lexus, Toyota+Prius, Hybrids, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Tweaked Toyota Prius gets 125 mpg - 1.9 litres/100km !

Lithium Technology Corporation (LTC), a global provider of large format rechargeable power solutions unveiled a retrofitted Toyota Prius, with plug-in capabilities that promises to deliver a whopping 125+ miles per gallon fuel efficiency, or to make that in liters, less than 1.9 l/100 km –vs 55 mpg or 4.3 l/100 km of the standard Prius (combined).

But how did LTC manage to achieve such an impressive figure? Concisely, LTC switched the Prius’ NiMH (Nickel metal hydride) batteries with a new type of lithium based batteries -lithium iron phosphate cells or LiFePO4 to be exact. Additionally, while the standard Prius’ relies on the petrol engine or the brakes to charge the batteries, LTC has added a charging system allowing charging by plugging into a standard outlet. And at what price? Well, your guess is as good as ours is since LTC avoided any money-talk. Via: AutoblogGreen -Full Press Release after the jump

Press Release: Breakthrough Technology Drives the World Forward

Lithium Technology Corporation Demonstrates Power Solutions Leadership

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (BUSINESS WIRE) Lithium Technology Corporation ("LTC") (OTC: LTHU) hosted yesterday an exposition of the Companys breadth of power solutions and unveiled a retrofitted Toyota Prius, with plug-in capabilities allowing for 125+ miles per gallon fuel efficiency, which is powered by the Company’s unique battery technology. The battery for the Prius utilizes LTC’s new product line of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells, the largest cells of their kind in the world, which are considered to be the technology of choice for the American car manufacturers.

“We are delighted to demonstrate and deliver the technology that the automotive industry has been searching for today," commented Dr. Klaus Brandt, chief executive officer of LTC. “While others have estimated up to a year to deliver the technology, we are proud to show the world that we have the technology and are committed to making hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles a reality for all consumers in the safest way.”

The 7 kWh battery comprised of 63 of LTC’s iron phosphate cells has achieved 125+ MPG. LTC’s large format technology allows for more reliable battery systems with a significantly lower number of cells. The battery management system (BMS) is more precise monitoring fewer cells, keeping them in balance for best performance and preventing damage to the battery due to over voltage, under voltage, over temperature and short circuit.

From our highways, to the depths of the ocean and up into space, LTC is powering the world in extraordinary ways. Key partners and customers joined in the event to demonstrate a range of vehicles from the automotive and military markets. Phoenix International representatives were on hand with one of the xBot Remote Operated Vehicles used on to explore the RMS TITANIC. The batteries powering the vehicles are amongst the safest lithium-ion batteries in the world for their energy density

“We are proud of our strategic partnerships which continue to afford us the opportunity to explore and develop new technologies and to break new ground,” remarks Brandt. “Through partners including Phoenix International, Penn State, Phostech and University of Delph, we have made great strides in the military and automotive markets.’

Covering the event were representatives from the Associated Press and the BBC, which later broadcasted parts of the event on their American and global networks. LTC will present at the Wall Street Analyst Forum this morning at 9am.

LTC, a global provider of large lithium-ion rechargeable power solutions has focused solely on the development and production of large format lithium-ion batteries for more than twenty years. The Company manufactures a range of cells with two different types of chemistries. Both chemistries coupled with the company’s innovative end-to-end manufacturing processes and proprietary design and assembly techniques, allow LTC to provide large high performance cells unmatched by any other product.

About Lithium Technology Corporation:

Lithium Technology Corporation (LTC) is a global provider of large format rechargeable power solutions for diverse applications, and offers the largest lithium-ion cells with the highest power of any standard commercial lithium ion cell produced in the western hemisphere. With more than 20 years of experience, LTC leverages its extensive expertise in high power and large battery assemblies to commercialize advanced lithium batteries as a new power source in the military and national security systems, transportation and stationary power markets.

LTC manufactures the GAIA product line of large, high power hermetically sealed rechargeable lithium-ion cells and batteries. The Company's product portfolio includes large cells and batteries from 10 times the capacity of a standard laptop computer battery to 100,000 times greater. LTC manufactures a variety of standard cells that are assembled into custom large batteries complete with electronics (battery management systems) and electronics to communicate with other components of the system for performance monitoring.

LTC headquarters are located in Plymouth Meeting, PA and R&D in Nordhausen, Germany. LTC sales for the U.S. and European markets are managed out of each of the offices. For more information about LTC,its technology and products, please visit http://www.lithiumtech.com

Technorati: Toyota+Prius, cars, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Brit pays 65.000 USD for a custom-made Toyota Prius!

That’s about 47.600 EUR or 32.900 GBP, meaning that this guy paid a 63% premium over the retail price of a fully loaded Toyota Prius in the UK which costs 20.082 GBP (40.164 USD or 29.400 EUR)! So, you’re wondering what the heck this Brit did to get the price up so high. Well, for starters, Jemca Toyota in north London prepared the one-off Prius, recruiting specialist suppliers and trimmers to meet his specific requirements. Jemca Toyota resprayed the car in Brechin Slate, a metallic finish that is usually reserved for Lexus models while the interior was reupholstered in hand-stitched leather and a set of polished steel Fox RS3 rims took their place on the cars tires.

And yes, we had the same dorky expression on our face like you’re having right now; a paintjob, a leatherjob and a set of alloys for 25.000 USD? Oh, boy was he ripped off… -More high-res pics after the jump

Technorati: Toyota+Prius, Tuning, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007