President Obama increases fuel economy by establishing challenging standards for the automotive industry.  The standard looks into the future to model years from 2017 through 2025.  Transportation efficiency targets the largest component of our annual oil consumption.  Light duty vehicles, trucks, and buses consume over sixty percent of U.S. petroleum requirements.  …

…   “These new standards will cover cars and light trucks for Model Years 2017-2025, requiring performance equivalent to 54.5 mpg in 2025 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 163 grams per mile.  Taken together, the standards established under this Administration span Model Years 2011 to 2025. They will save consumers money, reduce our dependence on oil, and protect the environment:”   …

Via The Whitehouse: Fuel Economy Standards.

Automotive fuel economy has become a key decision factor for owners.  While buyers of small vehicles are most likely to put fuel economy toward the top of their list of purchase considerations, fuel economy has jumped in importance in nearly all vehicle segments since 2001, recent research survey finds.

Driving Efficiency: Cutting Costs for Families at the Pump and Slashing Dependence on Oil (PDF) Report.

Posted by Green Tech at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Michigan’s solar car, the Quantum, is entering its test phase in preparation for the eighteen hundred mile World Solar Challenge, which will take place in the Australian outback in October, 2011. 

The University of Michigan team are champions of the North American Solar Challenge.  The 2011 design has been developed using modeling software to simulate competition conditions.  …

…   “Quantum is a cutting edge electric vehicle with an aerodynamic and light carbon fiber body, a high-performance battery and energy-efficient regenerative braking.”   …

Via University of Michigan: 2011 Quantum Solar Car.

The Michigan Solar Car Team.

Technology behind the success of the solarcar.

World Solar Challenge.

North American Solar Challenge.

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team wins the American Solar Challenge for a third consecutive North American title, by completing the race by more than two hours ahead of its nearest competitor.

Troy Halm, University of Michigan mechanical engineering student, discusses his experiences with the Quantum solar car team.

Posted by Green Tech at 08:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Google Translated from German ...

The VW microbus may come back as a 6 seat all-electric called "Bulli".   " ... maximum utilization of space ... driven ... by a powerful electric motor or alternatively efficient gasoline and diesel direct injection engines ..."

 See picture of concept car at left ...

Via:  Volkswagen  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The CityCar is an EV designed to take up minimum space while parked.  This is achieved by "folding" the car.  Instead of the engine and drive train of a gas powered car the drive components are in each wheel eliminating the need for a long rigid structure for the exhaust pipe or drive train components.

" ... weighs less than a thousand pounds, get the equivalent of 150 to 200 miles per gallon of gasoline. ... no tailpipe emissions."

" .. powered by four in-wheel electric motors ... enables maneuvers like spinning on its own axis ... moving sideways ... "

" ... park nose-in to the curb in ... possible to park three or four CityCars in the length of a traditional parking bay."

Via:  MIT LINK

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The Edison2 Very Light Car wins five of the ten million dollar prize in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize competition.  Each component of the Very Light Car has been scrutinized for achieving low weight and redesigned to maintain strength and deliver a simplified design.  It is designed to reach a top speed over one hundred miles per hour and even incorporates an iPod driven sound system. …

…   “Boasting the lowest drag coefficient of any car with four wheels tested in the GM wind tunnel and at the Chrysler Proving Grounds, this vehicle demonstrated over 100 MPGe on the test track, and verified in the lab, under stringent testing conditions using a highly innovative small displacement engine.

Its low weight of just 830 pounds is a tribute to its use of light weight materials, reduced engine displacement and a host of other weight-saving innovations. ”   …

Via XPrize: Winners.

The Edison2 Very Light Car.

Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE: The goal of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices.

Ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage competition for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 Miles per gallon or energy equivalent (MPGe).

GM wind tunnel.  Put into operation in August 1980, the wind tunnel is the largest of its type dedicated to automotive work.

X Prize Foundation: The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity.

Chrysler Proving Grounds.

Miles per gallon or energy equivalent, MPGe.

Posted by Green Tech at 04:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 EPA Fuel Economy stickers are on all new cars and light trucks and ahve been for decades. They list the city and highway mpg as well expected annual feul costs and some information about emissions.

The EPA is now looking to modify (again) the labels ... to allow meaningful comparisons between newer type vehicles ... such as hybrids where MPG does not really apply.  They might group cars by letters like A, B, and C.

" .. provide ... simple, straightforward energy and environmental comparisons across all vehicles types, including electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and conventional gasoline/diesel vehicles. ... information, such as ratings on fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, and other air pollutants ..."

Via:  EPA  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

BMW shares its innovative transportation concepts of the near future.  The MCV, or Megacity Vehicle, is its design for electric mobility.  Its passenger cell is made from carbon.  …

…   “The Megacity Vehicle (MCV) demonstrates one way in which the BMW Group envisages future mobility in urban surroundings.

As an example of purpose design, the MCV is systematically designed with the needs and demands of e-mobility in mind.

For as shown by the earlier development work on the MINI E and BMW ActiveE concept vehicle, the adaptation of a vehicle originally designed to be driven by a combustion engine (conversion vehicle) does not exploit the full potential of electric mobility. ”   …

Via BMW: 2010 Innovation Concepts (PDF).

Posted by Green Tech at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rutgers business professor leads team that is challenging for the Progressive Automotive XPrize.  The team is integrating aerospace and other technologies into the next generation of high-efficiency automobiles.  …

…   “Parente’s Global-E team survived the Shakedown elimination round in the Mainstream Class category for vehicles that carry four or more passengers, have four or more wheels, and offer a 200-mile range.

Next up is the Knockout Qualifying Stage at Michigan International Speedway during June 20-30.  The Finals Stage will be held in late July.”   …

Via Sixth Sigma (Link), Rutgers University: International XPrize Competition (Link).

Posted by Green Tech at 01:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

General Motors demonstrates sustainability leadership in its manufacturing facilities by recycling and eliminating its waste streams.  …

…   “More than 2 million tons of waste materials will be recycled or reused at GM plants worldwide this year. An additional 45,000 tons will be converted to energy at waste-to-energy facilities.

Although zero landfill sites recycle or reuse their waste in some way, other GM facilities also attain high levels of recycling. Overall, GM’s global facilities currently recycle more than 90 percent of the waste they generate. 

Waste elimination and recycling at GM’s zero landfill plants and other facilities will prevent more than 3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emission reductions from entering the atmosphere this year. ”   …

Via GM: Plants eliminate waste to landfills.

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Ford will deliver electric vehicles to the European market from its Valencia, Spain production facility.  …

…   “Ford Motor Company has significant experience with hybrid vehicles in North America, and will now extend this expertise to Europe as part of the company's aggressive global electrified vehicles strategy.  The reason for building both full Hybrid Electric Vehicle and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle versions of the five-seat Ford C-MAX is to provide customers with greater choice to suit their specific driving and living environments.

Full HEVs charge their electric batteries through the use of the small displacement internal combustion engine along with energy recapture through the regenerative brake system, whereas PHEVs have the ability to also recharge their electric batteries through an external source, such as a conventional electric power socket. ”   …

Via Ford: Electric Vehicle Sourcing for Europe

Posted by Green Tech at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Toyota Prius is the biggest, most powerful iteration yet, it's also the most fuel-efficient. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Tata Nano EV Electric Vehicle on display at Geneva Auto Show" »

Posted by Green Tech at 04:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Clairvoyant Energy is working with Oerlikon to bring the Swiss company's solar manufacturing technology to the United States. Clairvoyant plans to make utility-size solar panels at the site. Xtreme Power builds large-scale battery systems for storing renewable power. " ...

Continue reading "Renewable Energy Park for Ford Wixom Plant" »

Posted by Green Tech at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Green Dude at 08:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "This was 94 more laps than the second-place finisher University of Kentucky. Northwestern University placed third. The University of Minnesota team also ran the fastest lap at two minutes and 20 seconds. Eleven solar car teams from across the country participated in the event this year. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 02:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Obama administration has announced significant fuel economy standards to be effective by 2016 and a single emissions standard country wide - rather  than allowing some states - like California - to have their own emission standards.

Washington - DC - May 19th, 2009 -

" ... President Barack Obama outlined ... the nation's first comprehensive effort to curb vehicle emissions while cutting dependence on imported oil, ...  will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next five years. ..."

" ... new fuel and emission standards for cars and trucks will save billions of barrels of oil, they are expected to cost consumers an extra $1,300 per vehicle by the time the plan is complete in 2016. Obama said the fuel cost savings would offset the higher price of vehicles in three years."

" .... requiring ... carbon dioxide emissions be reduced by about one-third by the target date,... requires the auto industry to be building vehicles that average 35.5 miles per gallon."

" ... by 2016, with passenger cars reaching 39 mpg and light trucks hitting 30 mpg ..."

Via:  Yahoo News  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 04:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Honda launched the first electric car with the Insight and it was available during the 2000 - 2006 model years.  Honda is introducing it's new version for 2010.

" ... 2010 Honda Insight has made its debut on America's streets. ... hybrid technology ... affordable price and 41 mpg* combined fuel economy. ... increased the green factor with a sophisticated new system called Eco Assist™"

 
"*40 city/43 hwy/41 combined mpg. Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel-economy methods beginning with 2008 models."

Via:  Honda  LINK

Continue reading "Honda's 2010 INSiGHT Hybrid Sedan" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Check out this copy of "GREEN CHECKUP" available at participating NADA car dealers.  Read it to find ways you can save gas and wear on your vehicle.

Some tips are DIY such as watching your speed (every mph over 55 lowers mpg by 1%) or emptying your truck of unneeded items to getting a tune up.   Stop getting 0 mpg by excessive idling ...  

There are 10 tips  that collectively are said to be able to save approx. $1,600 for a car and $2,400 for an SUV on an annual basis based on gas at $4 / gal.

Check it out!

Via:  NADA  LINK

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" ...  uniquely interactive format and high caliber of participants, ECO:nomics debuted last year as the premier forum for CEOs and entrepreneurs driving growth at the intersection of business and the environment...."

Snippets of the Program ... "... Green People - What do consumers want, and what will they pay for it? ... Power Play - What will keep the lights on: nuclear energy or "clean coal"? ... Fresh Juice - Can wind and solar grow big enough to matter? ... The Future of Coal ... The Future of Biofuels ... The Future of Solar ..."

Via:  eco-nomics LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Design house Pininfarina, ... B0, ...four-seat, four-door electric hatchback created in partnership with Bolloré ... B0 will be a mass production model, with the first units coming off the production line at the end of 2009, ... a range of 153 miles and a top speed of 80 MPH.

Via: jalopnik Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the factors needed for H2 powered cars is the H2 Infrastructure ... something along the lines of today's gasoline / diesel stations. v After all without a way to  get H2 there is not much sense in a H2 powered car ...

Honda has an idea to  help this along ... "...experience in the development of power stations ... as well as experience with home-refueled electric and natural gas vehicles. ... a natural next step ... to explore potential solutions to the hydrogen refueling ..."

Via:  Honda  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Honda's Clarity is slated to be the first hydrogen powered car to be mass produced.

Fuel cells are not new .... though they are relatively a new idea for cars ... one lingering problem is the INFRASTRUCTURE needed to make these cars viable.  Read on for more about this as well >>>

How do Fuel Cells work and what are their advantages ... Read on for more >>> 

Via:  Honda  Link

Continue reading "Honda FCX Clarity - First Mass Production Fuel Cell Car" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A123 Systems has developed a Plug-In conversion kit for the Toyota Prius.  While not developed by Toyota - nor approved by Toyota - here are the details!

By inserting another battery between the normal (small) battery and the computer control systems the Prius is tricked to keep running on battery as there is more battery power.  This additional battery boost can carry many people through their daily commute ... allowing them to power the car mostly by electric from their home.

" ... ... half of the cars in the U.S. are driven just 25 miles a day or less....Plug-in Conversion Modules enable your vehicle to achieve outstanding fuel economy by electrically supplementing the hybrid drive train for up to 40 miles. When the Hymotion L5 module is fully depleted, your vehicle will function as a standard hybrid until you recharge."

" ... plug your car into your house using an extension cord and a standard 120V outlet. Your L5 module will be fully charged when you are ready to go in the morning. ..."

Via:  A123 Systems   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "For the foreseeable future, Nissan believes that the internal combustion engine will continue to serve as the primary power source for vehicles. Under NGP 2010, Nissan will accelerate development of technologies that deliver improvements to the efficiency of conventional gasoline powertrains. For example, Nissan will develop powertrains that support the development of a three-liter car; a car that will travel 100 kilometers using just three liters of gasoline. This product’s launch is targeted at 2010, starting from Japan. Looking ahead, vehicles using electric motors with the power derived from batteries or hydrogen fuel cells will become increasingly important and ultimately may replace the internal combustion engine. " ...

Continue reading "Green Program at Nissan" »

Posted by Green Tech at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "One third of consumers claim they already changed their driving behavior when gas prices reached $3 a gallon by cutting back on driving and maintaining their vehicle better, according to the survey. But when gas prices hit $4 a gallon, more than 65 percent of American drivers will change their driving behavior. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 
Hybrids.

They get better mileage.  They are good for the environment.

Now they can even save you some money on Tolls!

Some toll authorities are extending discounts to cars that get a certain MPG and meet a certain emissions threshold.  Currently only 3 or so cars qualify. 

NY State grants a special GREEN EZ-Pass plan and EZ-Pass to vehicles that meet their criteria of ..." at least 45 miles to the gallon and meet specific emissions standards ..."  The discount is 10% on NY Thruway Roads.

NOTE:  Not all E-ZPass Agencies are offering Toll Discounts to Hybrids ... But I would not be surprised if other follow NY's Lead.

Continue reading "E-ZPass Discounts for Hybrid Cars" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 Israel embraces electric cars!
 

"The Israeli government announced a major initiative to push the nation’s drivers toward electric cars ... the Israeli attempt ... aligns policy makers and a major car company with an outfit prepared to build hundreds of thousands of electric charging stations across the country. ..."I

" ... Renault-Nissan will manufacture the cars and Better Place, a California start-up founded by former SAP executive Shai Agassi, will build the infrastructure, ...A few hundred vehicles are expected to be on the road by 2009, with production scaled to the mass market by 2011. On Jan. 13, Israel slashed the tax rate on cars powered by electricity to 10% in order to encourage consumers to buy the vehicles once they are available."

Via:  IsRealli - The State of Israel Official Blog  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"... Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept demonstrates the potential ... a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine optimized for bioethanol (E85) fuel to give 300 hp and 400 Nm (295 ft.lbs.) of torque - ..."

"... Its current BioPower models are the top-selling flex-fuel vehicles in Europe, ... offering both more power and producing less CO2 emissions when operating on E85 fuel compared to when fueled by only gasoline. ..."

"...  engine is optimized for E85 fuel (85% bioethanol, 15% gasoline) ..."

"Engine efficiency is also improved by the use of direct injection (DI) and continuously variable valve timing (VVT) on both the inlet and exhaust sides. ..."

Via:  SaabUSA.com  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 07:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Toyota indicates that "... there’s still considerable battery development work to be done ... [in] the prototype HV models the additional MiMH capacity is gained by installing a second battery pack in the trunk area, ... Toyota is testing the Plug-in HV in Japan and is the first manufacturer to have a PHEV certified for use on public roads."

Continue reading "Toyota Prius Plug In Hybrid" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

China is manufacturing a mini car called the Nobel and plans to sell it in Europe.  This tiny car has an intersting history including claims that is is copied from Mercedes-Benz's SMART car.   See photos left (Nobel) and below right (M-B SMART).

The car is made by the Chinese maker Shuanghuan. 

"The EU importer of the Xiao Gui Zu ... known as the Little Nobel, and now simply ‘Bubble’, ...has put the super mini car on the market in the EU." 

"... The 1.1l, 68bhp motor is going on sale in Italy for just 9,000 Euros."

Via: China Car Times Link

Posted by Green Dude at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

" ... Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell has received Green Car Journal's  ... Green Car Vision Award(TM), which honors the vehicle that best envisions the road ahead. ..."

"The Equinox ... is visionary on many levels," ... Powering a popular crossover model with a future fuel such as hydrogen, and doing so seamlessly with an efficient powerplant that creates no CO2 greenhouse gases, is exemplary and Chevrolet should be commended for this."

"An important element that weighed in the Equinox Fuel Cell's favor is the way in which GM is enabling consumers and fleets to experience its advanced hydrogen technology. Through "Project Driveway," the world's largest fuel cell demonstration fleet, more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles will be driven by consumers and others for three months at a time in California, New York City, and Washington D.C."

Continue reading "Chevrolet Equinox "Fuel Cell" Wins Award" »

Posted by Green Dude at 09:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "We had a car-maker, the fourth largest one in the world, that committed to Pure Electric Vehicles (EV) as a mass-market product. Not only are they committed, they have allocated the funds required to develop such vehicle, for the needs of the country where we will start. " ...

Continue reading "Renault Nissan Commits to Pure Electric Vehicles" »

Posted by Green Tech at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Students at Maine's Unity College have taken on the high cost of diesel and are reusing waste cooking oil.  They fill up their diesel cars with used cooking oil from the school cafeteria.  The care are set up with one tank for diesel and one for used cooking oil.

Read on for more >>>>

Typically "... starts ... on diesel a... until ... waste vegetable oil (WVO) tank has reached 160 degrees. ...then ... switches over to the “grease” tank."

" ... students formed the Grease Car Club and work together to pick up, filter and store the grease."

" ... students say they get up to 45 miles per gallon from the waste vegetable oil and the engine runs smoother on it. They say the reduction in carbon and particulate emissions more than offsets the higher nitrogen oxide emissions."

Continue reading "School Car Club "Runs on Cooking Oil"" »

Posted by Green Dude at 06:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The Peoples Car has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft. The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers high fuel efficiency. Performance is controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system. The Peoples Cars tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in India today. The high fuel efficiency also ensures that the car has low carbon dioxide emissions, thereby providing the twin benefits of an affordable transportation solution with a low carbon footprint. " ...

Continue reading "Tata Nano PeopleCar Fuel-Efficient Environment-Friendly" »

Posted by Green Tech at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The energy bill will also include a massive biofuels mandate, requiring motor fuel refineries to use increasing amounts of corn-based ethanol ... " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 06:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Biofuel Car Conversions" »

Posted by Green Tech at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Car rental companies are seeing GREEN by offering Hybrids to their customers.  Hertz even offers to make a donation to the National Park Foundation.  

See below for more.
 

"Avis goes green! Introducing our new hybrid car. The Toyota Prius is a hybrid vehicle with both an electric motor & a gasoline engine for greater fuel economy. It is a 4-door hatchback with seating for 5."

"Hertz Green Collection.  ... fuel efficient, environmentally-friendly cars that are both easy on the wallet and suitable for families and small groups traveling together."

"... Toyota Prius Hybrid, the newest vehicle in the Green Collection.  We have nearly 35,000 cars in the Green Collection fleet, all vehicles are:         
       • EPA Highway Fuel Efficiency rating of 28 Miles or more per gallon"
         

Via:  www.avis.com  Link

Via:  www.hertz.com   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Everyone knows about Subaru and their fuel efficient line of cars .... BUT ... did you know that:

- Their Indiana Manufacturing plant has achieved ZERO LANDFILL status
- They are the first auto plant in the U.S. to achieve this satus.

 Details below:

"Consider this: When you carry out your trash at home ... next collection day, you'll be sending more trash to landfills than the entire Subaru manufacturing plant in Lafayette, Indiana (SIA). ... was the first auto assembly plant to achieve zero landfill status - nothing from its manufacturing efforts goes into a landfill. It's all reused and recycled."

• "In 2006, ... awarded the U.S. EPA's Gold Achievement Award as a top achiever in the agency's WasteWise program to reduce waste and improve recycling."
• "In 2004, ... the first U.S. manufacturing facility to reach zero landfill status."
• "In 2003, ... the first U.S. automotive assembly plant to be designated a wildlife habitat. Deer, coyotes, beavers, blue herons, geese, ... live there in peaceful coexistence with the Subaru plant. It's our commitment to leave as small a footprint as possible, ..."
• "In 2002, ... first auto assembly plant in the U.S. with an on-site solvent recovery system that produces dry still bottoms."
• "Each year, SIA actively recycles 99.3% of excess/leftover steel, plastic, wood, paper, glass, and other materials. The remaining 0.7% is shipped to the city of Indianapolis and incinerated to help generate steam."
  

Posted by Green Dude at 05:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 fuel cell car - a collaboratively engineered racer with Ballard, Roush and Ohio State University - is one of two vehicles Ford's fuel cell research team is helping prepare to set world land speed records. Ford researchers also are working with Ohio State University student engineers on its Buckeye Bullet 2, a fuel cell-powered racer that will compete for a similar world record in the unlimited class category. " ...

Via Ford Motor Company: Racer To Attempt Speed Record For Fuel Cell-Powered Vehicle

Posted by Green Tech at 08:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is another option to owning a car that you really do not need to use every day. 

"Flexcar ... [has] ... low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicles ... conveniently parked near homes and workplaces.  Members use them when they need them, paying just a simple hourly rate ... It’s far less expensive than owning and operating a car, and much more convenient than renting. ..."

Flexcar locations .... Link 

"Since 2000, more than 30,000 individuals and more than 400 businesses have become members. Study after study has shown ..."

• "More than 80% report riding public transit as much or more than they did before joining"
• "About 60% report selling and existing car or avoiding buying another car"
• "The majority report driving fewer miles per year"

"Applying this data ... it is easy to see ... the impact of the Flexcar program is.

• "Reduced Congestion: ... Flexcar has effectively taken more than 10,000 vehicles off the roads."
• "More Open Space: Assuming that there are on average three parking spots needed per car (home, work, shopping area), ... Flexcar has removed the need for 30,000 parking spots. With each spot requiring three and a half tons of concrete, the need for 105,000 tons of concrete has been removed."
• "Less Pollution: Assuming each car taken off the road averages 25 mpg, and the owner drove 12,000 miles per year (US average), Flexcar has removed 96 million pounds, or 144,000 tons of carbon from the air."

Posted by Green Dude at 06:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Green Tech at 09:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

(June 5, 2007)  "Honda will discontinue the hybrid version of its Accord sedans, ... Japan's No. 2 automaker, will continue to make gas-and-electric models of its Civic sedan, ... "

"The Accord hybrid, ... sold only in North America, ... selling just 25,000 since going on sale in 2004, and just 6,100 last year. ...underlines how hybrids tend to be more popular with smaller models because mileage improvements tend to be more pronounced."

" ... said it remained committed to developing more hybrids."

Via:  Yahoo.com   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is an interesting factoid ... 

Did you know that "If each commuting car carried just one more person, we'd save more than 18 million gallons of gasoline and keep more than 360 million pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere every day".
 

Via:  Starbucks "ad" in the Sunday Thursday 10, 2007 edition of the New York Times ...
 

Learn more at www.planetgreengame.com   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Masatami Takimoto, president in charge of powertrain development for Toyota, said that he foresees all Toyota models being hybrid by 2020 ... " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "MacKenzie analyzed the performance of 10 classes of vehicles produced by the eight automakers which comprise 96 percent of the U.S. car and light truck market in model year 2005. Each automaker was rated on how its vehicles compared to the industry average on global warming and smog-forming pollution. Cars and light trucks account for 25 percent of the nation's global warming pollution and 20 percent of its smog-forming pollution.

Honda and Toyota had better-than-average global warming scores in every class in which they competed. Despite producing pickup trucks and large SUVs, Toyota's use of emissions-cutting technology across its entire fleet helped it to pull up just behind Honda, which did not compete in these vehicle classes. " ...

Via Union of Concerned Scientists: Green Automaker Rankings

Posted by Green Tech at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "So, it's time for the auto industry to improve vehicle technologies and reduce tailpipe emissions. The bottom line is this: emissions from the use of motor vehicles are roughly one-third of our nation's greenhouse gas problem. So, it's critical that we reduce carbon dioxide emissions from this sector. Mandating automakers to reduce tailpipe emissions and requiring fuel providers to increase the supply of low-carbon fuels would cut carbon dioxide emissions from the use of motor vehicles by as much as 22 percent below projected levels by 2030. " ...

Via Senator Feinstein: Measure to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Use of Motor Vehicles

Posted by Green Tech at 07:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 For some city dwellers; a car is almost a liability.  There is the higher cost of insurance, trouble or expense of parking, and if one walks to work ... an expensive asset that is little use.

I know that way back when ... when I lived in Old City Philadelphia and worked 4 blocks away my car sat for days without being used ... while I paid expensive auto insurance and monthly garage fees.  

There is a solution and it's good for the wallet and the environment!

>>>> Car Sharing!

"PhillyCarShare, ... is Philadelphia’s premier car-sharing service. ... accomplished greater positive environmental impact in Philadelphia than, well, any car company on the planet!"

• "2,100 cars off Philadelphia's streets"
• "More walking, biking, use of transit
• 10 million fewer miles driven since inception
• 53% reduction in miles driven - each member drives about 130 fewer miles per month, on average
• Members who got rid of a car more often walk (38%), take transit (36%), take a taxi (19%), or bike (17%)"
• "95% reduced auto emissions, from driving hybrids, driving less, owning fewer cars, and making fewer cold starts"
• "440,000 gallons of gas saved"
• "80% of members preferring residential locations near PhillyCarShare pods, thus strengthening the city"
• "$4,000 saved annually by each former car owner"
  

Philly Car Share rents the Toyota Prius, the Honda Elements, The Mini Minis and other cars.

Via:   Philly Car Share   Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 07:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HyICE) project has tested ways to make hydrogen-fuelled engines that are as efficient as current diesel engines, yet non-polluting, and with little or no trade-off in terms of engine size and power. These hydrogen-fed engines offer clear advantages over current generation engines and promise to compete with other propulsion systems in terms of performance and cost. The project members from the automobile industry, supplier companies and universities developed innovative fuel-injection concepts for engines for passenger cars as well as for trucks and buses. European hydrogen experts involved in HyICE regularly shared their findings with researchers from Department of Energy laboratories and universities in the US. " ...

Via Europa: Hydrogen Engine Research in Europe

Posted by Green Tech at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So, you want a Natural Gas powered car, and you found one.  Honda sells the Civic GX at select dealers in NY and California. 

Now about the lack of fueling stations for the average consumer ... There are approximately 16 in the NYC metro area and 200 in California.  Not enough for comfort?  Hmmm.  What to do?

Honda's sells the Phill - a home fueling system that turns a home natural gas into the required "gas" for the Civic GX.  The Phill can be mounted in a garage and pressurizes the low pressure natural gas found at home to the require 3500 - 3600 psi needed for fueling.  Though slower than a "gas station" it allows flexibility for those far from a Natural Gas station.

The Phill is safe and easy to use .... see pictures in this post above and below. 

Via:  Honda     Link     and     EVWorld     Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 06:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

President Bush views demonstration of plug-in hybrid automobile technology as he strives to confirm if his Twenty in Ten vision is achievable.  ...

... "I also met with people that are working to help us develop a fuel industry that will be able to have ethanol derived from produce other than corn. In other words, I'm talking with people on the leading edge of change. And the reason why I've asked them to come in to see me is because I want to make sure that the goal I set by reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent over a 10-year period is a realistic goal. I know it's a necessary goal: it's necessary for national security purposes; it's necessary for economic security purposes; and it's necessary in order to be good stewards of the environment. My question is, is a practical goal, can we achieve that goal. And the answer is, absolutely. Now, it's going to require continued federal research dollars, and I call upon the Congress to fully fund my request for alternative sources of energy. " ...

Via White House: President Bush Alternative Fuel Automobile Demonstration

Posted by Green Tech at 05:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

American Honda Motor Company may be the first automaker to offer a car line - the civic - in standard gasoline, Hybrid and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) 

"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the natural-gas Civic GX as the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle on Earth. Plus, the California Air Resources Board gave the GX an AT-PZEV emissions rating, which means it's still the "Cleanest on Earth."

 "Civic GX owners can purchase their own home-refueling appliance called Phill, which installs easily to a home gas line. With Phill, GX owners fill up when they come home, instead of having to go to a gas station."

The gasoline and Hybrid version are offered pretty much nation-wide.  The CNG version is only available at select dealers in California and New York.

Posted by Green Dude at 03:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "However, not all automakers are racing to join the bandwagon for each type of green car. Many have chosen their angle and are sticking to it. " ...

Via Driving, Canada: Automotive Green Technology

Posted by Green Tech at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The carbon briquettes contain networks of pores and channels that can hold methane at a high density without the cost of extreme compression, ultimately storing the fuel at a pressure of only 500 pounds per square inch, the pressure found in natural gas pipelines.

In addition to efforts to commercialize the technology, the researchers are now focusing on the next generation briquette, one that will store more natural gas and cost less to produce. Pfeifer believes this next generation of briquette might even hold promise for storing hydrogen. " ...

Via US National Science Foundation, NSF: Farm Waste to Fuel Tanks

Posted by Green Tech at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)