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Hydrogen could deliver one fifth of world carbon cuts by 2050, industry says

BONN, Germany — Increasing the use of hydrogen in power, transport, heat and industry could deliver around one fifth of the total carbon emissions cuts needed to limit global warming to safe levels by mid-century, a report by the Hydrogen Council said on Monday. To encourage industries to use hydrogen, Toyota and Air Liquide helped set up the Hydrogen Council, a global lobby launched in January this year. Its 27 members include automakers Audi, BMW, Daimler, Honda and Hyundai, and energy firms such as Shell and Total. The council said using hydrogen for transport, energy generation, energy storage, industry, heat and power could cut annual carbon emissions by 6 billion tonnes by 2050. "This would ... contribute roughly 20 percent of the additional abatement required to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius," the council said in a report released on the sidelines of a U.N. climate conference in Bonn. To achieve a two-degree limit this century agreed by governments in Paris in 2015, the world must reduce energy-related carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2050. The report said one in 12 cars sold in California, Germany and Japan were expected to be powered by hydrogen by 2030. By 2050, hydrogen could power 400 million cars, 15 million to 20 million trucks, around 5 million buses, a quarter of passenger ships and a fifth of non-electrified train tracks, as well as some airplanes and freight ships. Achieving this shift in transport and other sectors would require investment of $280 billion by 2030, with about $110 billion to fund hydrogen output, $80 billion for storage, transport and distribution, and $70 billion to develop products. Fuel cell vehicles combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity to power an electric motor, producing water as a byproduct. However, making hydrogen from fossil fuels, a common route, also produces some greenhouse gas emissions. So far the take-up of hydrogen vehicles is tiny and industry experts say their wider use is years away, with high purchase prices and a lack of refueling stations the major barriers. But some firms, such as miner Anglo American and carmaker Toyota, are pushing for fuel cell cars to play a role even with the rise of battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs). Woong-chul Yang, vice chairman of automotive research and development at Hyundai said EVs and hydrogen fuel cell cars were needed because EVs were better for city driving and fuel cell vehicles better for longer journeys.

Audi looking for Tesla-style, non-traditional way to sell EVs

As part of Audi's notable EV emphasis at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week, there was a bit of a secondary discussion on just how the automaker might get to the point where 25 percent of all of its sales would be electric vehicles. After all, no major automaker has figured out how to crack into the double-digit percentage of plug-in vehicle sales. The problem might be, as The New York Times noted recently, that traditional dealerships just don't know how to sell EVs. While no one at Audi was saying that the automaker is going to open up its own EV stores, like Tesla has, but two Audi of America executives were certainly warm to a different style of how an automaker can encourage EV sales. Filip Brabec, AoA's director of product management, said that Audi is at least considering making changes, including some sort of different dealership experience and perhaps a new kind of test drive. "The traditional automotive approach is not necessarily working," Brabec said. "A lot of it has to do with the complexity of the product and the complexity of the offer and it's difficult, I think, to bring that into a classical dealership and sort of treat is as another car and off we go. I think there needs to be some differences in how we go in the future." AoA president Scott Keogh said that Tesla has shown the rest of the industry how to make selling EVs a complete experience. It's not just about the car, he acknowledged. "I think we have to give Tesla credit where it's deserved," he said. "I think the charging network, at least from a public relations point of view, is quite strong and that's definitely added to the message." So many automakers want to have that, "Tesla fighter," as we've heard over and over recently, but Keogh hinted that Audi could do a better job than Tesla is doing today. "I think they've done a good job of looking at the full package. I think we have some resources and the network and everything else that we can put a fuller package together." The most important part is getting people into the cars, Brabec said. "I think exposing consumers to EVs, letting them experience EVs is another big aspect, and probably different than we have today, because test driving a car today is a very conventional thing. It's probably not going to be as conventional with EVs, particularly if you've never been in one before." We can't wait.

Audi A6 and A7 get a fresh face and upgraded equipment

It's been six years since the introduction of the Audi A6 and A7, but the automaker isn't ready to replace them just yet. So, in order to keep up with fresher competition, Ingolstadt has given its mid-range lineup a bit of a refresh. That includes not only a subtle facelift, but some new equipment, as well. The refreshed models benefit from new front-end styling, side sills, rear bumpers, and rear diffusers that look incrementally sharper than the existing versions. The updated interior features LED ambient lighting, with new trim options to join the expanded range of exterior colors and wheel choices. The infotainment system has been upgraded, and there are tablets mounted to the seatbacks to keep rear-seat passengers entertained. The sum total definitely falls in the evolutionary rather than revolutionary category. But they promise to help attract customers to Audi showrooms who might otherwise be lured towards the newer Mercedes E-Class, Cadillac CTS, Jaguar XF, or Maserati Ghibli, while keeping pace with the BMW 5 Series and Lexus GS that are growing just as long in the tooth. The updates are applied not only to base A6 and A7 models, but also to the Allroad Quattro and the S6 and S7 performance models. Audi says these refreshed cars will be available to order soon for delivery in the summer, and best of all, it hasn't raised the sticker prices in the process. Related Video: 04/22/16 Ingolstadt New look and new equipment – Audi A6 and A7 getting even more attractive - New highlights for exterior and interior and for equipment - Even more connectivity and entertainment on offer - Comprehensive equipment package for the Audi A6 allroad quattro Audi is making its full-size A6 and A7 Sportback* car lines even more exclusive. The exterior of the Sedan and Avant is set to become a touch sharper, with all models featuring interior enhancements and new equipment. There is a new, comprehensive equipment package for the A6 allroad quattro*. The updated full-size family is available to order worldwide soon. Deliveries will take place in the summer. Quality, design and technology – those are the key selling points for Audi full-size models. With the start of the new model year, the brand is further enhancing its models.