BMW is experimenting with infrared heating systems for future cars, warming occupants in a more fuel-efficient and precise manner, and thus potentially extending the range of hybrids and EVs. The system, outlined during a BMW "innovation day," bypasses traditional warm-air vents in favor of infrared heating surfaces that warm passengers directly. There'd be no more sitting shivering until the car warmed up in the depths of winter, either, with BMW claiming that the system can have you toasty in just 60 seconds.
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‘earth friendly’ Stories
BMW boosting electric vehicle range with targeted heat-rays
Tesla teases 2016 compact crossover & Roadster replacement
Tesla's fourth and fifth cars will include a crossover SUV and a Roadster replacement, founder Elon Musk has teased, though drivers will need to wait until 2016 at the earliest to get behind the wheel. Although first on the electric car company's agenda is the 2015 $30,000 sedan Tesla hopes will open up its audience considerably, Musk told Wired, work on the subsequent models is already underway, with a simultaneous launch promised.
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GE points finger at wonky Nissan Leaf software for Wattstation woes
Nissan and General Electric have conceded a problem with the Leaf EV, though drivers are left waiting in the middle for a fix. After Nissan Leaf owners were informed that GE Wattstation chargers could in fact damage the car during a recharge, General Electric has issued a statement blaming Nissan's tech for the flaw, rather than its own systems.
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BMW C evolution: Earth friendly with no rider compromise
BMW has revealed its latest electric vehicle, but unlike the i-Series cars the new C evolution bike is somewhat less glamorous and likely to be a whole lot more affordable. Part of BMW's Motorrad group, the BMW C evolution uses a 11 kW electric drive for a top speed 120 kph and a range of 100 km from an 8 kWh battery. Unlike electric city cars, however, BMW believes the C evolution bike is perfectly suited to motorway driving as well.
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Apple’s Green Turnaround Makes Me Blue
“This was a mistake.” It’s not something we’re used to hearing from Apple, but the company’s abrupt turnaround on EPEAT green certification hasn’t exactly been textbook. The decision, first to opt out of having its Mac, iPad and other ranges rated, and then – in the face of consumer outcry – to push them back onto the scoreboard has been portrayed as a headstrong firm learning some humility, but it’s not enough. Apple‘s green 180 isn’t a chance to crow that a big company was forced to change its mind, it’s a hugely wasted opportunity to change how the environmental impact of our tech addiction is discussed.
Greenpeace cautiously positive over Apple iCloud power promises
Apple's eco-credentials have come under the microscope again, with Greenpeace re-assessing the company's plans to power iCloud with renewable resources. The environmental activist organization slated Apple back in April for its reliance on coal-fueled power stations for the server farms hosting iCloud; a month later, Apple announced plans to switch to 100-percent green power for iCloud in 2012. The commitment triggered Greenpeace taking a second look, though its conclusion is still mixed.
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Can Apple re-write green standards?
Apple's decision to yank its products from EPEAT certification could lead to a green coup of sorts in the consumer electronics space, as businesses and federal agencies push back against procurement regulations. The company's decision to withdraw from EPEAT registration means government agencies tied to EPEAT-approved hardware are forced to apply for special waivers, in a staff-bogging process described as "long" and "onerous" by experts. Meanwhile, while the process for time-consuming appeals monopolizes workers, Apple is pushing its own "comprehensive" set of environmental measurements.
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BMW and Toyota working on new sports car and eco-tech
BMW and Toyota have inked an extension to their collaboration agreement, working together on fuel cells, electric powertrains, lightweight components and, most excitingly, "a future sports vehicle." The new memorandum of understanding (MoU) will see the German and Japanese companies team up for "long-term strategic collaboration" with BMW bringing its sportscar prowess and Toyota its green technologies expertise to the table.
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Apple fights Greenpeace over dirty iCloud power report
Apple has denied claims that its iCloud servers are powered by environmentally-unfriendly energy, accusing Greenpeace of blundering how much electricity it used and where that power came from. Greenpeace had failed Apple in its cloud computing green credentials ranking - along with Microsoft and Amazon - over suggestions that the iCloud server farm was reliant on coal power stations, the Guardian reports. However, Apple argues that Greenpeace has overestimated its power use by a factor of five.
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Audi e-sound makes EVs sing
The dangers of being crushed by a silent and deadly electric vehicle have been long known, but trust Audi to level its "Vorsprung durch Technik" at the issue and compose a specific "e-sound" for its cars. The handiwork of Audi engineer Rudolf Halbmeir, the new sound - which will be fitted to all Audi EVs - isn't a single monotone but created on the fly, depending on the speed of the motors, the overall vehicle speed, the current load and more.
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Fisker Atlantic EV officially revealed
Fisker has taken the wraps off of its second hybrid electric car, the Fisker Atlantic, promising a more affordable option for Earth-friendly driving but with the same swoopy style of its Karma sibling. Unveiled at a New York Auto Show preview, in design concept form, the Atlantic is a four-door relying on a BMW-sourced, specially tuned four cylinder gas engine to top up the li-ion batteries driving the electric motors for the wheels.
Fisker knowingly sold half-baked cars claims ex-employee
Electric car company Fisker can't catch a break lately; days after its Karma embarrassingly broke down before Consumer Reports could even begin testing it, a former employee has alleged Fisker knowingly pushed the Karma to market before it was fully baked so as to qualify for US government loans. The decision to begin releasing the Karma to market was made so as to improve Fisker's chances of securing the next stage of its Department of Energy finance, the ex-insider told GigaOm, payouts of which had already been frozen after the green car company failed to meet its agreed milestones.
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