Chemistry, Materials & Packaging
Auto Roundup:
Chevy Helps Truckers; Nissan Innovates Paint Process; Toyota Reuses Hybrid Batteries

Chevrolet is supporting a project called IdleAir to help long-haul truckers avoid idling emissions during rest breaks at truck stops.

IdleAir works by allowing drivers to install a reusable plastic window adapter to their cab, which can power heating and cooling air vents, TV, electrical outlets, Internet and other conveniences. The truck engine can then be turned off, saving fuel, reducing emissions and keeping power on to the big rig’s amenities.

The system is said to save a gallon of diesel fuel per truck per hour and since drivers typically rest at night, IdleAir uses off-peak power and has even begun installing solar panels on some of its overhead trusses to provide solar-powered electricity.

Chevrolet is purchasing IdleAir’s GHG reduction credits as part of a broader goal to prevent up to 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the earth’s atmosphere. To date, Chevy’s parent company GM says it has secured commitments for nearly 7 million metric tons.

Nissan debuted an innovative three-wet paint process that reduces energy consumption, cost and emissions while increasing production efficiency. The 250,000-square-foot facility is capable of reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions by 30 percent and volatile organic compound emissions by 70 percent.

The new paint process saves time and energy by applying all three paint layers in succession before the vehicle goes into the oven – previous processes required the vehicle to bake in between the primer application and the topcoat layers.

The plant is Nissan’s showcase project as part of the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Better Plants Challenge, where Nissan has committed to reducing energy intensity in its three U.S. plants 25 percent by 2020.

Toyota announced it will begin selling an electricity management system that employs recycled nickel-metal hydride batteries from hybrid vehicles.

The energy management systems will be sold to Toyota vehicle dealers throughout Japan, allowing for better control over consumption, storage and discharge of electricity, as well as increased efficiency. The offering is part of Toyota’s larger Building Energy Management Systems for dealers, which include solar carports, solar power generation, LED lighting and energy-conserving air conditioning.

By cutting the amount of electricity used during peak usage times, the amount and cost of electricity and gas used for a single dealership can be decreased by half compared to dealerships without the system, Toyota said. Backup electricity can be stored and used during power outages during events such as disasters, making the system useful for emergency response centers to power equipment necessary for gathering critical emergency information and to power evacuation shelters.

In other auto news, Daimler, Ford and Renault-Nissan last month signed an agreement to jointly develop a fuel cell system to power zero-emissions vehicles.

@Bart_King is a freelance writer and communications consultant. @mikehower contributed.