Cash for Carbon: Schumer Climate Plan Would Help Consumers Buy Electric Cars

The proposal by Senator Chuck Schumer of New York
is far narrower than plans put forth by Democratic
presidential candidates. It also has no chance of
 passage in the current Senate.

WASHINGTON — Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, is preparing a $450 billion climate change initiative that aims to replace about a fifth of the nation’s traditional gasoline-powered vehicles with hybrid, electric or hydrogen fuel-cell cars and trucks in the next 10 years.

Mr. Schumer’s proposal is far narrower than the economy-altering plans put forth by most of the Democratic presidential candidates, and it has no chance of passage in the current, Republican-led Senate.

But in an opinion article published Thursday night in The New York Times. Mr. Schumer said his proposal to push the country away from internal-combustion engines would be part of any climate-change measure that would be considered if the Democrats won the Senate next year.

Read the story from The New York Times by Coral Davenport - “Cash for Carbon: Schumer Climate Plan Would Help Consumers Buy Electric Cars.”

Toyota to electrify all models by 2025

Toyota has announced that all of its cars will be available with either an electric, hybrid or a fuel cell drivetrain within seven years as part of a major stepping stone to achieve its Environmental Challenge 2050 announcement made two years ago.

The challenge set by the Japanese maker to itself will see its own new car global emissions reduced by 90 per cent compared to 2010 levels and requires a significant number of cars sold to be electrified.

Read the Drive story - “Toyota to electrify all models by 2025.”

Electric hybrid car emits four times more CO₂ than advertised, real-world testing shows

A purportedly eco-friendly hybrid electric car emits four times more greenhouse gas than manufacturers claim, according to a report backed by Australia's motoring heavyweights that opens up a new front in the nation's energy policy tussle.

Michael Bradley from the Australian
Automobile Association, which has
 released a new report into vehicle emissions. 

The report by the Australian Automobile Association, members of which include the NRMA and RACV and RACQ, says real-world testing reveals some new cars are using up to 59 per cent more fuel than advertised. Almost six in 10 exceeded the regulated limit for one or more pollutant in cold-start tests.

The AAA says consumers are being "increasingly ripped off", forking out for vehicle technology that cuts emissions in the laboratory, but not on the road.

It says the findings cast doubt on whether more stringent vehicle emissions laws – a move being considered by the Turnbull government – would reduce pollution and lower fuel use.

Read Nicole Hasham’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Electric hybrid car emits four times more CO₂ than advertised, real-world testing shows.”

Hydro Tasmania develop innovative off-grid hybrid project on Flinders Island

ARENA CEO, Ivor Frischnecht.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) today announced $5.5 million support for Hydro Tasmania to develop an innovative off-grid hybrid project on Flinders Island.

ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht said the project would use a combination of solar, wind, diesel, storage and enabling technologies, together with a sophisticated control system, to displace more than 60 per cent of the island’s diesel generated energy.

“The Flinders Island project will build on the success of a similar project Hydro Tasmania developed on King Island with ARENA support, which is delivering 100 per cent renewable energy to the island when conditions allow,” Mr Frischknecht said.

Read the full story here: “Flinders Island next off-grid community to go renewable”.