In an interview aired on ABC's "The View" today, President Barack Obama told hosts that taxpayers would get bail out money back from a recently recovering auto industry.  “We are going to get all the money back that we invested in those car companies.” With nearly $85 billion in funds, the auto industry has been restructured, and “you now have all those auto companies showing a profit," Obama said. “They've re-hired 55,000 workers,” he said. The President also noted the advent of advanced battery technologies. [MORE]

According to the Christian Science Monitor, Senate majority leader Harry Reid on Tuesday unveiled a vastly narrower energy bill, minus controversial climate provisions that would have capped carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. [MORE]

Allianz, one of the world's leading producers of specialized cleaning equipment, announced in a press release today its introduction of the world’s first purpose-built electric hybrid street sweeper - the Allianz 4000 Electric Hybrid. The company says the sweeper--combined with up to 40% in fuel savings--significantly reduces emissions and noise levels; can travel speeds up to 60 mph; and results in reduced maintenance costs for users. Allianz is affiliated with US Hybrid, a CALSTART member company, a partnership which was instrumental in the development of this first-of-its-kind vehicle. [MORE]

General Motors this week announced a starting price at $41,000 for its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The federal tax credit totals $7,500, bringing the cost down to $33,500. However, the Volt does not qualify for the California Air Resources Board's Clean Vehicle Rebate of $5,000 because it does not currently meet program requirements for vehicle certification. According to GreenCarCongress, "...to qualify for the CVRP, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles must meet the Enhanced AT-PZEV definition as defined in the California ZEV Regulation section 1962.1(i), Title 13, CCR, including the SULEV, evaporative emissions, onboard diagnostics, extended warranty, and zero-emission Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and advanced componentry PZEV allowance standards as defined in section 1962.1(c). With an 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty on its battery pack, the Volt doesn’t meet at least one of the Enhanced AT-PZEV requirements to qualify." [MORE]

When Tuesday, August 3, 2010 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PDT Get registered This webinar is open to the public. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/698509785


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