We've been seeing spy photos of the next generation Mazda3 for months and now we finally have official photos of the new compact sedan that will debut at the LA Auto Show next month. While I recently speculated that the new 3 might just be a refresh rather than a full redesign based on the resemblance of the greenhouse to the current model, it now appears from the pics in the gallery below that it is all-new. Externally, the 3 inherits all of the bold, swoopy styling of other recent Mazdas including the new 6 and the 2 that we don't get. Mazda hasn't revealed much technical detail yet other than the 2.0L and 2.5L four cylinder engines that will provide power. The new 3 will apparently conform to Mazda's "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom," philosophy which means it will almost certainly see some weight reduction compared to the current car, likely on the order of 100-200 lbs. The hatchback version will appear some time after the sedan debuts early next year.


[Source: Mazda]

We're back for AutoblogGreen Podcast #14. In this installment, we recap the Santa Monica Alt Car Expo and many of the interesting things we saw at that show. Everything from converted Russian hatchbacks as NEVs to excessively fast electric drag racers. Sam is currently covering the LA Auto Show for us, and in this show we discuss details on the GM hybrid trucks and cars, as well as everything else with a green tint at the show. Finishing up this episode, Sam's also got an interview with Larry Nitz, executive director of hybrid powertrains at GM, part of the team that developed Allison's two-mode hybrid system. Thanks for listening to all 45 minutes, we'll see you again soon!

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The question of whether or not people should be forced into driving smaller cars with engines that emit less pollutants is one that is likely to be debated for quite some time. Many believe that it is their "right" to drive whatever kind of car they want as long as they are willing to pay for it, while others believe that it is their "right" to breathe less polluted air. Granted, cars do not make up the majority of all pollution or greenhouse gases, but they do add to the problem. Obviously, sweeping changes have been and must continue to be made to all facets of the problem; cars, factories and the rest of the gang should all be treated equally. But, the results of the pollution that each of these industries contribute to the air we breathe is not in question.

Take for instance the town of Alvin, California. This is a quiet town with almost no pollution-generating factories and little in the way of traffic from its 15,000 residents. However, the area has the unlucky distinction of being downwind of several large metropolitan areas, and its surrounding mountains trap the air in place, giving this city the dubious honor of having the worst air quality of anywhere in the United States.

This story reminds me of the debate that is brought up regarding our environment. Are we ruining the earth for our grandchildren, just as others are seemingly ruining the air quality for the residents of Alvin?

[Source: Physorg]

Port representatives from around the U.S. are currently attending the third Faster Freight - Cleaner Air (FFCA) conference which examines technologies and processes designed to reduce the environmental impact of all sectors of the goods movement industry (rail, trucking, marine, off-road equipment and air freight). Last November the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach adopted the "San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan" which has inspired many other ports worldwide to undertake similar activities in a bid to reduce their environmental impact. The pollution levels created by the goods movement industry are of particular concern and have come under increased scrutiny over the last few years.

The San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan is a comprehensive blueprint to reduce the health risks associated with air pollution from port-related ships, trucks, trains, terminal equipment and harbor craft. Key elements of the hundreds of millions of dollars plan are to cut particulate matter (PM) pollution by more than 50 percent within five years, reduce NOx emissions by more than 45 percent and reduce sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions as well. Within five years, "dirty" diesel trucks will be banned from the San Pedro Bay cargo terminals where only new "clean" diesel trucks and retrofitted vehicles will be allowed to operate. Another initiative is to equip all major container cargo and cruise ship terminals at the ports with shore-side electricity which will allow vessels at berth to shut down their diesel-powered auxiliary engines.

A highlight of the FFCA conference is a panel discussion covering green leases - leases which implement low-emission and environmentally-friendly processes and technologies into port operations. Among the speakers to attend are the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters. The EPA is a sponsor of the event.

Analysis: If you think an old diesel truck is an air polluter, imagine what the same vintage diesel technology on a container carrier is doing! It's great to see this kind of proactive approach being taken by the goods movement industry. I'd like to see similar plans to reduce PM, NOx and SOx across every port - all totaled it would really add up.

Related:

• 1,000 tonnes (1.3 million liters) of heavy fuel oil on burning ship near the South Pole
• Heard of regenerative braking? How about regenerative sailing?
• Truckers see the SmartWay to ship freight, are rewarded by the EPA

[Source: Faster Freight - Cleaner Air 2007 press release]

Fox 11 Los Angeles has posted a four-part video series online called Auto Evolution which looks at the green vehicles and auto technology of the future which promise lower emissions and better mileage. John Beard and Christine Devine filed the reports which offer a good cross-section of interviews, background information and on-the-road examples of the technologies covered. Each episode runs around 5 minutes. Part one is below, and the other three are after the jump.

Part one covers hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles including Hyundai Tuscon, Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, Honda FCX and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure...


Analysis: These four videos are well worth your time - check them out.

Thanks for the tip Linton.

Related:

• Interview with Ian Bruce, founder of Venture Vehicles, part one - background and design
• Left Coast Electric converts 1978 Triump into an EV in three minutes - Video
• Introducing the BioBronc project - with lots of video

[Source: MyFoxLA.com]

Everyone knows that commuting around Los Angeles can be largely a matter of hurry up and wait thanks to the insane number of vehicles on the road. So you might think that the man responsible for mass transit and traffic in LA would set an example by driving something bit smaller and more efficient. But NOOOO!! Jaime de la Vega, Los Angeles' transportation chief, gets around in a Hummer H3. Admittedly, the H3 is smaller than the H1 and H2, but at almost 2 1/2 tons, this thing is hardly a responsible choice. When Los Angeles Times writer Steve Lopez tried to question de la Vega about the issue, he just sat there and clammed up like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Read all about in the LA Times at the Read link.

[Source: Los Angeles Times via a tip from Darin]

There are over 300,000 flex-fuel cars in California, yet just one E85 fueling station. Doesn't make much sense, does it? Moving to address the imbalance, the Department of Energy has granted funding to a group that includes CALSTART, GM, Pacific Ethanol and United Oil among others to begin the construction of an ethanol infrastructure in the Golden State.

The press release doesn't reveal how much funding is available, however, the initial round will pay for a portion of the construction of ten E85 pumps at existing gas stations owned by United Oil in the Los Angeles area. Four more pumps will be installed along Highway 101 from Ventura to San Luis Obispo while the last will be installed in San Joaquin Valley.

Fuel for the pumps will be produced in California by Pacific Ethanol whose headquarters are located in Madera, CA. There are currently three ethanol plants in the state with four more on the way. By the end of 2008, California's ethanol production is projected to reach 400 million gallons per year which should provide enough ethanol to meet demand from the new E85 pumps.

Getting a foothold in California is a smart move for almost any aspect of the auto industry as the state contains 10 percent of the nation's vehicles. We'll certainly be keeping a close watch to see just how the ethanol network pans out in a coastal state.

[Source: CALSTART]

The busiest ports in the nation, Los Angeles and Long Beach, announced an aggressive air pollution control plan, which would make them the cleanest in the world. The $2-billion, five-year plan expects to reduce sooty diesel pollution from cargo ships, trains and trucks by more than 50%, which might result in some loss of business. The plan aims at reducing health risks to dockworkers and communities around the docks and loading facilities, and the region's congested freeways and railroads. The spokesman for the Port of Long Beach expects to lose some business to Mexico, but stated the port was no longer interested in companies which are not interested in cleaning up their pollution. The two ports hope to set the example for all the ports in the Pacific Rim. While 40% of all retail goods imported to the U.S. are shipped through the two ports, together they are also the single largest contributor to smog from diesel engines in the Los Angeles Basin. The plan calls for replacement of the aging short-haul diesel trucks, and will demand international cargo ships to run on low-sulfur fuel within 20 nautical miles of the harbor. Docks will be retrofitted with electrical power for unloading, instead of burning diesel fuel.

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

I wish I lived closer to Los Angeles so I could visit the exhibit starting today at the Peterson Automotive Museum. They are reviewing the history of automotive power, including steam, electric, hydrogen, solar and jet-powered vehicles, CNN reports. It seems people have been worried about running out of gas for longer than we might think, since a gasoline-electric hybrid was introduced in 1917. Just like so many technologies ahead of their time, it turned out to be a bit of a flop. The exhibit includes a large number of exciting cars, including a 1938 coal powered Citroen 11, and a 1963 turbine powered Chrysler. For those of you in the area, go see it, and let us know your impression.

[Source: CNN]