Technology

Nine companies will be the first to operate GM’s HydroGen4 zero-emission vehicles in the Berlin area as they go about their day-to-day business.

Mazda has introduced the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE (Rotary Engine) vehicle to Norway’s public roads in collaboration with the Hydrogen Road of Norway, (HyNor) project.

Fiat has just launched eco:Drive, a system that gives drivers an accurate insight into how their driving style influences their fuel consumption, and actively helps them to drive more efficiently, saving money and reducing their CO2 emissions.

One of the world's most advanced wind tunnels is Volvo's new tool in the quest to lower fuel consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Volvo Car Corporation is the first car manufacturer to own a wind tunnel that fully simulates the airflow around and underneath the car's body, combined with wheel rotation on a flat road surface.

EDF Energy and Toyota have teamed up to road trial the first Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) introduced by a car manufacturer to the UK. Toyota’s right-hand drive PHV will make its on-the-road debut as part of EDF Energy’s company fleet and will be tested by employees under every-day driving conditions or over a year.

Hydrogen-powered cars could become a more visible sight on Europe’s roads following European Parliament backing for a European Commission proposal to simplify the approval of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Bosch expects hybrid and electric vehicles to have more than a three percent share of the world market by 2015, and so the company is continuing its development of automotive lithium-ion batteries.

The first Honda FCX Clarity customers have taken delivery of their zero emission cars in California. Up to 200 customers will begin leasing the fuel cell vehicles in the United States and Japan over the next three years.

A new study on the automotive industry by the IBM Institute for Business Value says that hybridisation and battery technology will lead the drive toward environmentally sustainable transport, and that by 2020 all new vehicles will have some level of hybridisation.

Nissan has unveiled an all-electric and a hybrid electric prototype vehicle, powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries. Nissan has committed to zero-emission vehicle leadership, and has announced plans to introduce an all-electric vehicle in 2010 and mass market globally in 2012.