California Gets Clean Air Act Waiver from EPA, 13 Other States also get nod from EPA
California and thirteen other states received the Clean Air Act Waiver from the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency of the United States. The plan allows CA and the other states to impose their emission guidelines until 2012. It will also serve as a transition and preparation phase for the 2016 implementation of the 35.5mpg fuel efficiency requirement of the national government.
California started to adopt their own tougher rules compared to the federal government in 2004. The Bush administration through the EPA denied the state government of California to impose the stiffer rules.
The U.S. Congress proposed in 2007 to adjust the standard to 35mpg by 2010. With the expected ramp up of these figures, the auto industry will have to shoulder billions in research, development, and production to comply with the disparate figures.
The new standards of the National government are now in line with the path California is taking. Reduction of emissions by as much as 30% will allow car manufacturers to comply in a more cost effective way. This also helps in avoiding vehicle prices to skyrocket.
Range Extended Electric Vehicle being Developed by Israeli Start-up Company
An Israeli start-up company, ETV Motors Ltd, is aiming to develop REEV or range extended electric vehicle technology by maximizing the chemistry of the lithium ion battery in combination with a micro-turbine advancements.
The first round of investments amounting to $12 million comes from Quercus Trust based in California and 21 Ventures LLC headquartered in New York. The funding allows ETVM to engage in multi-year R&D in partnership with some organizations and universities.
ETVM believes that 
the future of transportation will heavily rely on the development of electric vehicles which are highly efficient, environment friendly, and cost effective. The new generation of range extended EVs can be optimally developed using their lithium ion battery technology and the on board charger using the micro turbines.
The micro-turbine that will be used by ETVM will be using the principles of Rich, Quench, and Lean. The dual mode will allow excellent efficiency by operating at two points.
The micro-turbine will also have advanced designs in terms of its ducts, valves, heat exchangers, and sealings. These features will give the technology more freedom in terms of matching the micro-turbine with vehicle categories in need of different drive cycles.
Ford US Transit Connect Commercially Available this Summer
Ford launches the US version of the 2010 Transit Connect. This fuel-efficient car series was displayed in the 2009 Chicago Auto Show last week. The US Transit Connect will be commercially available this coming summer. Its battery-electric version is set to be released globally in 2010.
Ford is working with Smith Electric Vehicles to make the US release of the electric car series possible by next year. In the UK, on the other hand, the Ford collaboration is with Tanfield.
Presently, the conventional Ford Transit Connect is built for small business entrepreneurs and owners. First released n Europe in 2003, Transit Connect is a front-wheel-drive commercial vehicle that has a spacious cargo. Ford recently powered up its engine to a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder gasoline. The vehicle also has an automatic four-speed transaxle.
Since its introduction six years ago, the Transit Connect has been sold to at least 600,000 costumers in 58 countries around the globe. It’s initial sticker price begins at $21,475.
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