Toyota launches new hybrid; Energy Star efficiency questioned; Chamber of Commerce hoax; Three-wheel vehicles eligible for federal funds; UC Berkeley to offer green tech program

Toyota launches new hybrid, Honda warms to electric Toyota Motor Corp is ramping up its push on gasoline-electric hybrids, launching a new model in Japan and taking on up-and-coming rival Hyundai Motor Co in its Korean home market with its flagship Prius. Looking a step beyond hybrids, the head of Honda Motor Co said he was considering launching electric vehicles in the United States, Europe and Japan, indicating a shift in the strategy of Japan’s No.2 car maker for zero-emission cars.

Energy Star Appliances May Not All Be Efficient Uh oh. The Energy Department has concluded in an internal audit that it does not properly track whether manufacturers that give their appliances an Energy Star label have met the required specifications for energy efficiency.

Chamber of Commerce Says It Was Victim of Climate-Policy Hoax This is just too funny, really. The business lobby says it was the victim of an elaborate hoax this morning, when a group passing itself off as the Chamber announced at a press conference in Washington that it dropped its earlier opposition to the pending climate bill and was now “throwing its weight behind strong climate legislation.” This is a hoax most companies wouldn’t mind being the target of, but when your only concern is helping corporations make money at any expense, well…

Three-wheel vehicles eligible for federal funds Congress has approved a measure that will allow makers of three-wheel cars to receive funding for fuel-efficient auto technologies, according to published reports. The bill, which still needs to be signed into law, could be a boost to companies developing alternative car designs, notably Aptera Motors and Elio Motors. This is great news, as that 3 wheeler by Aptera is pretty cool.

Haas School (UC Berkeley) to offer green tech program UC Berkeley has created an institute within its Haas School of Business to tap the growing student interest in green tech, bringing together research on clean-energy technology, policy and economics.