I love the exciting news and debuts that come out of auto shows – right now; the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show is the focus of car aficionados around the world. After much anticipation, Lexus has revealed the all-new 2010 Lexus RX 450h.

The 450h marks the beginning of the second-generation RX hybrid and features a 3.5-liter engine with 295 horsepower; this represents a 27 horsepower increase over the current RX hybrid.

“Another step in the Lexus Hybrid Drive’s evolution is the addition of two new systems that improve its efficiency. The first is an exhaust-heat recovery system that reduces engine warm-up time allowing it to stop earlier, more often, and for longer periods. The result is an improvement in both fuel economy and emissions. The second is a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation system that reduces engine pumping losses, which also helps to improve economy.” (Source: Lexus)

Fuel-efficiency estimates for the 2010 Lexus RX 450h are not available but the car will likely be certified as an SULEV. The vehicle will be for sale at Lexus dealerships nationwide in the spring of 2009.

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The city of Destiny, Florida announced today that final plans are in the work for Florida’s first “Green Energy Station.” The station will be located in Osceola County and is being created in a collaboration between the city and Mid-State Energy, Inc.

“Currently, the project is in the final design stages that call for five gasoline and alternative fuel stations and six diesel dispensers. The final fuel mix is still in development, but potential options include E85, a blend of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol, as well as soy-or animal fat-based biodiesel, compressed natural gas, liquid hydrogen fuels and plug-in charging stations for electric or hybrid vehicles.” (Source: PR Newswire)

As with your standard filling stations, the Green Energy Station will also have a convenience market. This will not be your standard market though; this one will be powered by solar and geothermal sources. The Green Energy Station is being designed to provide a service to customers but to help educate the public about sustainable energy choices.

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And the results are in….

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI has been named as the Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year. The Jetta was up against the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion hybrid, Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid and the smart fortwo. I think that the choice for the 2009 Green Car of the Year is going to be better received by green car enthusiasts than the 2008 choice – the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. Evidently, the main factor in choosing the Tahoe hybrid with its paltry fuel-efficiency ratings was that its city miles per gallon rating was similar to that of non-hybrid mid-size cars.

No such debacle this year – the Volkswagen Jetta TDI is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s top ten most fuel-efficient vehicles for model year 2009. Additionally, a couple driving a VW Jetta TDI set a new Guinness Book of World Record for fuel consumption by achieving a 58.82 mpg average on a 20 day, 9,419-mile trip.

As a bonus, the Jetta TDI is eligible for a $1,300 federal tax credit as an advanced lean-burn technology vehicle. With official EPA fuel-efficiency ratings of 30mpg in the city and 41mpg on the highway and a starting price of $21,990, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI makes a fine choice for 2009 Car of the Year.

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The State of Oregon always seems to be forward thinking when it comes to eco-friendly initiatives and the environment in general. Today news about a partnership between the State of Oregon, Portland General Electric and the Renault-Nissan Alliance has been released. The partnership is being created to work on an electric vehicle charging network in the state.

“The Alliance has committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). Nissan will introduce ZEVs in the United States in 2010 and will mass market ZEVs globally two years later. Ghosn announced the Oregon agreement during an address at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

“This partnership represents a major step toward reliable zero-emission mobility in the state of Oregon,” said Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Renault SA,. “Together, we are creating conditions that will encourage consumers to consider an electric vehicle as an attractive choice that is also good for the environment.” (Source: PR Newswire)

The State of Oregon will be privy to a supply of ZEVs courtesy of Nissan to help develop and promote the EV charging network. ZEV initiatives are also active in Israel, Denmark, Portugal and other countries as well as the state of Tennessee.

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Ruder Finn Insights released interesting news today; details of a survey about U.S. consumer’s thoughts on hybrid vehicles show that the consumers are interested in hybrid vehicles yet show concern about the performance and durability of these cars. The company surveyed 514 Americans in August 2008; here are some of the results.

The Hybrid Attitude Survey Results

“The hybrid industry has gone through a significant evolution in the last decade but consumer perceptions have not caught up,” said Marty McGough, Director of RF Insights. “As manufacturers balance their portfolio of traditional and hybrid vehicles and weigh their go-to-market strategy, the study reveals a clear need to re-educate consumers on this significant industry transformation. A concise communications strategy conveying how far these vehicles have come, and all they have to offer, is paramount, especially for U.S. automakers. Any Congressional bailout will likely place restrictions or provide incentives designed to produce more fuel-efficient, next-generation cars.” (Source: PR Newswire)

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In just a few short days, the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show will open its doors to the public. The days leading up to the start of the show are filled with exciting press conferences including the 2010 Lexus RX 450h announcement and the North American debut of the Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid. Green car enthusiasts can now add the Kia Borrego FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) to the list of hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles that will be displayed at the show.

The Kia Borrego FCEV is not scheduled for road testing until 2010 but preliminary indications are that the vehicle will have just over 150 horsepower and a range of over 420 miles. The Borrego FCEV will be one of over 40 hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles on display at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Other anticipated vehicles include the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda CR-Z Hybrid Concept, Honda Insight and the Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid concept.

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Just in time for the holidays, Daimler has released information on a variety of smart accessories as well as smart-themed gift products. One of the most intriguing accessories featured in the Daimler press alert was the ski and snowboard rack. That is right; snow enthusiasts can take their smart to the slopes. The ski and snowboard rack requires the basic rack for use but allows for two pairs of skis as well as two snowboards. Get to the slopes in smart style with this upgrade.

For smart owners who prefer a little bling on their ride, consider the following chrome upgrades: six-spoke alloy wheels with staggered tires (175/55 R15 in front and 195/50 R15 in the back), chrome fog light rings, door mirror caps, radiator grille and a chrome tailgate trim are also available.

In addition to announcing accessories to spruce up a smart, Daimler also has a variety of gift ideas for smart owners.

“The smart “winter magic” diorama presents the perfect winter wonderland to a scale of 1:87. It features a smart fortwo coupé in dark blue with a black tridion cell and light grey interior. The scenery consists of a wintery forest landscape with snow-covered fir trees, a true-to-scale snowman and two tiny hares. There are also hand-painted figures of a snowboarder and a skier.” (Source: Daimler)

Other holiday gift ideas include smart fortwo coupe replicas available at a 1:18 scale, 1:43 scale and 1:87 scales, a digital watch, an insulated coffee mug and even a walking stick umbrella. If you are interested in any of these products, check your local smart Center for more information.

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For the first time in 22 years, a model by GM-owned Opel has been named as the European Car of the Year. The Insignia comes with a variety of gasoline and diesel-based engines; each of these engines meets the stringent Euro5 emissions standards.

“The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp. The three new direct-injection turbo-diesels exclusively developed for the Insignia feature displacement of 2.0 liters. They offer outputs spanning from 110 to 190 hp and excellent torque values ranging from 260 to 400 Nm. All combinations compare competitively in CO2 emissions. An ecoFLEX variant with remarkably low fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels will be added in the near future.” (Source: GM Media Site)

Although specifications on the ecoFLEX model are not currently available, several of the diesel engine models have a fuel-efficiency rating of 4.8 liters/100km in an extra-urban setting; this roughly translates into 48 miles per gallon. The Opel Insignia ecoFLEX made its international debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

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The University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom has just debuted its new fleet of vehicles that run solely on hydrogen power. Hydrogen cars qualify as ZEVs (zero emissions vehicles); this marks a first for a UK-based university. Each vehicle has a range of 100 miles (per tank of hydrogen) and a top speed of 50 miles per hour.

“Birmingham engineers will be comparing the hydrogen powered vehicles with the University’s own fleet of petrol, diesel and pure ‘electric’ vehicles so that they can learn more about their efficiency and performance. The researchers will determine how these vehicles need to be adapted in order to make hydrogen an attractive and cost effective option as a future fuel.

Professor Kevin Kendall, lead investigator for the project and head of the University’s Fuel Cells Group, said, ‘The cars will now start to carry out tasks on the campus, including postal deliveries, recycling of materials and duties around the estate. This will enable us to test the car components for reliability, get the cars road-legal and confirm their efficiency and cost effectiveness.’ (Source: PR Newswire)”

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Some say that the future of eco-friendly car technology will be the emergence of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) as the primary choice among green car consumers. Right now, there are no mass-produced PHEVs that are available to your everyday consumer. Sure, there is the sexy Tesla Roadster S but at $100k+ a pop, you are not going to see driveways in your typical neighborhood lined with them.

Many after-market companies have created technology to convert a hybrid electric vehicle to a PHEV. Even though this change can typically be made for a modest investment ($5k-$8k typically), the conversion of a standard hybrid to a plug-in hybrid results in a voided warranty and little in the way of mechanical support should something go wrong. As a result, relatively few hybrid owners make the conversion.

Right now, the PHEVs are not used at a level that taxes the nation’s power grid. The future PHEV that seems to be getting the most media attention lately is the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. However, with the price tag expected to be in the $40k+ range, this is not going to be sold at a level that the power grid will be tested. The MINI-E or the smart ed might be the best bet for first PHEV to really test the utility companies.

Most major auto manufacturers have at least entertained the idea of creating a PHEV in the coming years and this begs the question – are the nation’s power grids ready to handle the increased demand that will result if a drastic upswing in PHEV purchases occurs? When I think about rolling blackouts in California due to mass power usage, I question this.

Automotive News Europe has reported from the Automotive News Green Car Conference that the answer to this question is yes; yes, the nation’s utility companies are ready for the increased use of PHEVs. Eladio Knipping of EPRI spoke on the topic of a 60% PHEV market share by 2050 and whether the nation’s power grid can handle this transition.

“Yes, the grid can handle it,” said Knipping. He said that assumes a modest increase in power load over time. Also, power companies would need to use smart technologies to maximize electricity use in off-peak hours, and consumers would have to be educated on the best times to charge their vehicles.

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