CleanMPG

Provides pickups that are towing with stopping distance similar to a pickup not towing. With asterisks.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 21, 2020


GM has developed an advanced trailer braking concept that has the potential to reduce stopping distances while towing. This is done using existing components, including GM’s segment-exclusive eBoost braking system.

With eight available cameras and up to 15 different views when trailering, an industry-first trailer label that shows exactly what weight that specific truck can tow, and iN-Command from ASA Electronics compatibility available on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty and heavy-duty models, makes the product one...

Ford earns a climate ‘A list’ designation from CDP.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 20, 2020


Ford’s actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and contribute to development of the low-carbon economy have earned it a place on CDP’s Climate ‘A List’ for climate change for the first time. Ford is among 35 American companies recognized this year.

Ford’s commitment to reduce CO2 emissions consistent with guidelines in the Paris Climate Accord includes investing more than $11.5 billion in battery electric vehicles. To increase the appeal and adoption of electric vehicles of all types – HEV, PHEV, and BEV, Ford is introducing zero-emissions versions some of its most successful vehicles, including the Mustang Mach-E later this year and an electric F-150 in 2021.

In 2017, Ford said it had...

A slick and simple advance to reduce glare and the related accidents due to it.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 6, 2020


Bosch is readying an update to the sun visor for the rest of the 21st century.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the sun causes twice as many car accidents as any other weather-related condition due to temporary blindness. Another study indicates the risk of a car crash is 16 percent higher during bright sunlight than normal weather. The traditional sun visor is not equipped to adequately address this safety concern. At best, it blocks some of the sun from your eyes but along with it, some of your view is blocked as well.

Las Vegas, NV -- Bosch is offering a revolutionary Virtual Visor, a transparent LCD and camera, which...

Q5 TFSI e PHEV-20 first, than the A7 and A8.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 16, 2020


Audi just introduced its first PHEV SUV outside the A3 e-tron or e-tron SUV, the Q5, with an electric motor coupled via clutch to a traditional TFSI engine. The new PHEV offers a premium interior, quattro AWD, and efficiency we have not seen since the demise of the 3.0L V6 TDI.

The Audi Q5 TFSI e will be joined by the A8 TFSI e and the Audi A7 TFSI e shortly!

2020 Audi Q5 TFSI e Drivetrain Details

The Audi Q5 TFSI e is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L TFSI engine coupled via clutch to a single electric motor and 7-speed S-tronic dual (wet clutch) AT, producing a total combined system output of 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor itself is good for
a...

Toyota invests $394 million USD into Joby Aviation.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 15, 2020


Toyota announced a new collaboration with Joby Aviation (Joby), an aerospace company that is developing and commercializing all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The collaboration reflects Toyota’s recognition of the long-term potential of the urban air mobility market and Joby’s position as an industry leader in working to deliver safe and affordable air travel to everyone.

As the lead investor in Joby’s $590M Series C financing, Toyota leverages emerging technologies to provide “Mobility for All.” In addition to investing $394M in Joby, Toyota will share its expertise in manufacturing, quality and cost controls for the development and production of Joby Aviation’s...

It will not turn heads or save at the pump but for a first time buyer on a minimal budget, a new vehicle for < $10k is always a consideration.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 13 , 2020


Today’s Hot Deal comes from Ford. This one is not for most of us but for the first-time buyer in your family on absolutely bare bones budget that is in need of a new car with a warranty.

The 2019 Ford Fiesta is a small B-Segment sized vehicle equipped with a 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque 1.6L I4 mated to a 5-speed MT. That is enough power to move the 2,536 lb B-segment car decently enough while providing a 27/35 mpg city/highway...

If anyone provided anything worth seeing at this year’s 2020 CES, it was Nissan.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 9, 2020


Las Vegas, NV -- Does anyone remember my research on sound deadening material for a Prius Audio upgrade?

• NOICO Automotive Sound Deadening Material
• Stinger RoadKill Sound Deadening Material

If there was a vehicle on the road that needs better sound deadening, that vehicle is it. At the 2020 Consumer Electronic Show (CES), Nissan introduced a new high-tech sound absorption material called acoustic meta-material that weighs just 25 percent of current closed cell foam, rubber backed, or heavy rubber board-based materials....

A possible 2021 production date should place the slow selling LEAF in the rearview as Nissan moves forward.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 7, 2020


LAS VEGAS, NV – The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2020 is becoming the go to show for many OEMs to highlight their way off future plans. Of all the presentations I watched or read about, Nissan’s made the most splash and practical sense because it was near term Concept to reality vs. pie-in-the-sky flying transportation drone systems or future low emissions cities.

The Nissan Ariya Concept was introduced to the world at the Tokyo Auto Show in late of October of last year and made its North American debut at the Las Vegas CES 2020 trade show. As an all-new EV platform about the size of a Rogue, the zero-emission CUV will...

A throwback to a bygone era…

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 4, 2020


Route 66 -- Have you ever pulled into a drive-in restaurant or a small-town diner somewhere between home and your final destination for a quick bite? A fresh root beer float in a chilled glass or Hot Beef Sandwich piled high with mash potatoes and gravy are long time favorites of mine.

Have you ever attended a Drive-in Movie theater to catch the latest flicks on a monster big-screen with nothing but the stars overhead? Listening through the supplied tinny speaker hung on your window or nowadays through your cars AM/FM band radio is real entertainment like no...

What were you reading on New Years Day instead of this?

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 2, 2020


With a number of new BEVs coming out of Europe providing a given WLTP efficiency rating – WLTP vs NEDC was required from Jan 2019 forward, that sounds like a good thing, right? More realistic and accurate is always better... Except when they are homologized to the U.S.' EPA, they get creamed and trying to get our head around this is daunting.

Namely, if the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedures (WLTP) was supposed to provide a more realistic driving cycle and displayed efficiency result for...

Most OEMs provided at least one significant product worth far more than the release it was introduced with.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – December 31, 2019

Despite an industry whose sales continue to soften, a rash of new more efficient products have reached or will soon be reaching dealership showrooms offering efficiency that could only be dreamed of just a decade ago. Today, that dream is a reality along with vastly improved safety, interiors that make you feel like a King or Queen, and infotainment choices with an almost infinite number of audio selections controlled by your own voice while keeping your eyes on the road.


GM -- The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the all-new 277 hp and 460...

Need to license very unique technology?

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – December 31, 2019


Are you interested in receiving the benefits from a world-renowned R&D company that invests over $1 million per hour, without actually having to spend $1 million/hr? Toyota may have a program for you.

Toyota revealed a new program to license its Intellectual Property to interested parties. The program is called Toyota IP Solutions and it is intended to help promote and serve as an access point for the licensing of patents to US and global companies.

Initially, the patent portfolios available for licensing will be in four areas:

1. Omnidirectional Structural Color
2. Bio-Active Material
3. Nano-Material Synthesis
4. Electronics Thermal Management

Additional portfolios are now being...

A welcome Christmas gift for current and future PHEV/BEV charging.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – December 27, 2019


MUSTART, a name you may have never heard of, has quietly become one of the best off the shelf high current L2 charging solutions for the home.

Founded in 2017, the company created its first charging product for electric car owners making ownership easier and less costly while providing the ability to travel the country without the hassle of charging on someone’s L1 120V outlet slowing your charging time down from hours to days in many cases.

Since that time, MUSTART has focused its R&D on a series of varying power level portable chargers for electric vehicles with high...

Continental has an answer for that.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – December 26, 2019


Continental has earned a CES 2020 Innovation Award in the Vehicle Intelligence and Transportation product category for its state-of-the-art Transparent Hood technology. Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the trade media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting-edge consumer electronics products across 28 categories.

Continental’s Transparent Hood technology is first to market globally. It displays the area beneath the vehicle to the driver, giving the ability to see obstacles and terrain that would otherwise be...

Meet the charging Robot.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – December 26, 2019


VWs vision looks like this. A mobile charging robot drives to the electric car completely autonomously and communicates with it. From opening the charging port door to connecting the plug and decoupling once the charge is complete, no humans were harmed in the performance of this activity.

In a nutshell, the mobile robot brings a 25 kWh, 50 kW charging trailer to your vehicle and connects them; the energy storage device recharges your battery. The mobile energy storage device stays with the vehicle during the whole charging process while the robot moves trailers to other electric vehicles in need of a charge. Once the charging is complete, the robot decouples the trailer from the vehicle, and returns it back to its own charging station.
[quote=Mark...