Volkswagen Showcasing New Green Car Models On 'Think Blue' U.S. Road Trip Tour

After years on the eco-sidelines, Volkswagen is definitely trying to make up for lost time. The company has just kicked off its Think Blue road trip touring the country trying to get the word out about its new fuel efficient hybrid and electric car models.

Jetta Hybrid. Photo courtesy of Volkswagen.

Gearing toward environmentally friendly consumers, the tour will stop at outdoor community events and conferences around the country, including cycling competitions, outdoor music festivals, environmental summits, and public policy conferences.

The company says that “the current tour schedule spans more than 12 cities in ten states from coast to coast, with additional stops likely to be added in coming weeks.”

The first three events will take place on the West Coast from April to May, including:

• April 19-22, Monterey, Calif. – Sea Otter Classic Bike Race
• April 29, Denver, Co. – Cherry Creek Sneak (Running Race)
• May 6-9, Los Angeles, Calif. – Electric Vehicle Symposium

Traveling in a 53-foot trailer decorated with Think Blue imagery, and pulled by a high efficiency cab, Volkswagen will showcase a number of its newest fuel efficient vehicles, including the 2013 Jetta Hybrid and the E-Golf prototype.

The Jetta Hybrid made its debut earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show. Some of the new Jetta’s stats include:

• 0-60 mph in under 9.0 seconds.
• An average fuel economy of 35 mpg.
• A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
• A four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque from 1,400 rpm.

The Jetta Hybrid can also be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph for up to 1.2 miles, depending on driving conditions. The Jetta will also have a regenerative braking system, which is becoming increasingly common on hybrids and electric vehicles today.

Click to read more ...

U.S.Legislators Grant Billions to Electrify Auto Industry Fearing Foreign Oil Security Risks

Over the last two years, U.S. legislators have given out over $2 billion in grants and loans to companies for the research and development of energy efficient green technologies for the nation’s auto industry.

A major motivator is fear. The latest government report - The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy through Innovation - found that, “Oil powers 95 percent of America’s cars, trucks, ships, planes, and rail cars.

“The United States is the largest oil consumer and importer in the world and relies on imports for more than half of its oil consumption. This dependence on oil is an energy security threat and increases U.S. economic vulnerability.” Additionally, it acknowledges that, “The environmental impact of petroleum-powered vehicles is also a rising concern.”

The bulk of the grant money to the auto industry has gone into building factories and facilities for improving electric vehicles, new battery technologies, electric power trains, and the development of charge stations.

The report speculates that, “Today, an American driving 32 miles a day to and from work will spend almost $1,000 a year on gasoline, each day adding to U.S. dependence on foreign oil. A consumer driving an electric car would save over $630 per year powering the car with electricity generated in American power plants instead of gasoline made from imported oil.”

Click to read more ...