Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/green.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Matching the right algae to right factory exhaust]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/31/matching-the-right-algae-to-right-factory-exhaust/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/31/matching-the-right-algae-to-right-factory-exhaust/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/31/matching-the-right-algae-to-right-factory-exhaust/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

AlgaTech Technologies, with partner GreenFuel Technologies Corp., are looking at algae as another producer of biofuel. While the idea is not new, the two companies are also focusing on one of algae's growth factors: carbon dioxide.

Algae, as simple plants, needs sunlight, nutrients, and CO2 to survive and prosper. GreenFuel is looking at CO2 emissions from different types of factories to see which are absorbed by what algae. The idea is to use these algae to eventually create biodiesel or even ethanol. AlgaTech is in charge of finding the right algae since factories can be found in different environments and influence which one will grow the best. Theoretically, such "fine-tuned algae" could solve two issues at once: absorb harmful CO2 emissions while providing an alternative fuel to oil.

Related:
[Source: United Press International]

Matching the right algae to right factory exhaust originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 31 Aug 2006 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>algaeAlgaTechfactoryGreenFuelThu, 31 Aug 2006 11:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Color-coordinating your REVA electric vehicle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/color-coordinating-your-reva-electric-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/color-coordinating-your-reva-electric-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/color-coordinating-your-reva-electric-vehicle/#commentsFiled under:



The REVA electric car is a small, 3-door (formerly known as a "hatchback") electric vehicle built in India. A four-seater, the car can hold two adults and two small children. The electric motor can be fully charged in roughly seven hours and the EV has a range of nearly 50 miles. With a quick, 2&frac12; hour charge, the REVA can travel up to 40 miles away.

While the REVA has a lot safety features like dent-proof ABS body panels, dual-braking, and comforts like climate control seating, what's really interesting is its colors. Consumers can chose from over 2000 shades to personalize their REVA.

Electric blue, anyone?

[Source: popgadget]

Color-coordinating your REVA electric vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>colorIndiaREVATue, 29 Aug 2006 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda says no to ethanol, says it's not efficient]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/28/honda-says-no-to-ethanol-cites-not-efficient/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/28/honda-says-no-to-ethanol-cites-not-efficient/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/28/honda-says-no-to-ethanol-cites-not-efficient/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



While competitors like Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co. either plan to increase production or develop ethanol-powered vehicles, Honda Motor Co. had declared it has no plans to join the flex fuel bandwagon.

States U.S. sales chief John Mendel of Honda, "We're not against it. In the list of priorities right now, we haven't moved it up the list. It is less efficient from a fuel-economy standpoint."

Honda plans to focus, instead, on hybrid and diesel technologies as part of its alternatives to standard gasoline-powered vehicles.

Related:
[Source: Ottawa Citizen]

Honda says no to ethanol, says it's not efficient originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 28 Aug 2006 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E85Mon, 28 Aug 2006 15:38:00 EST<![CDATA[DOE says world to reach peak oil within 20 years]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/26/doe-says-world-to-reach-peak-oil-within-20-years/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/26/doe-says-world-to-reach-peak-oil-within-20-years/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/26/doe-says-world-to-reach-peak-oil-within-20-years/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports states that the world will most likely reach its peak oil level within 10 to 20 years. "Peak oil" is the point where oil supplies are at their maximum; any further demand will force higher prices as remaining supplies plummet.

The report provided four alternatives: vehicles with better fuel economy; coal liquefaction; producing fuel from oil shale; and new methods and technology to continue extracting oil from spent fields. The DOE's report, though, shows that such options could not fulfill half the U.S.' fuel demand until 2025 and it would be disastrous if the oil peak is reached prior to that year.

Popular alternative technologies such as ethanol and electric vehicles were considered, then dismissed, since they would have no serious impact on fuel use in the next 20 years.

[Source: The New Mexican]

DOE says world to reach peak oil within 20 years originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Department of EnergyDepartmentOfEnergyDOEoil peakSat, 26 Aug 2006 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Bank says ethanol not replacement for oil]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/bank-says-ethanol-not-replacement-for-oil/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/bank-says-ethanol-not-replacement-for-oil/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/bank-says-ethanol-not-replacement-for-oil/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

UBS, a Swiss investment bank, released a statement saying that ethanol is an "insufficient" replacement for oil. Based on a study initiated by the bank, ethanol production at its current rate would total around 30 billion gallons of fuel by 2020. Unfortunately, oil consumption for vehicles alone totaled 320 billion gallons just for 2005.

The bank concludes the only way ethanol could be a viable alternative would be production from many sources since current crops such as sugar and corn are subject to seasonal variation. Such multi-source production, continued the bank, is near impossible since it would require companies to set up production multi-nationally. Current high tariffs and other market restrictions by individual countries currently make such a scenario near-impossible.

[Source: Macauhub]

Bank says ethanol not replacement for oil originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 25 Aug 2006 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>multi-nationalseasonalstudySwisstariffsUBSFri, 25 Aug 2006 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevrolet and MTV bringin' ethanol to the 2006 MTV Music Awards]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/chevrolet-and-mtv-bringin-ethanol-to-the-2006-mtv-music-awards/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/chevrolet-and-mtv-bringin-ethanol-to-the-2006-mtv-music-awards/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/chevrolet-and-mtv-bringin-ethanol-to-the-2006-mtv-music-awards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

General Motor's Chevy brand has teamed up with MTV to promote a night of bio-fuel awareness at the MTV Music awards on Thursday, August 31st. States general manager Ed Peper of Chevrolet, "Going green never looked so good. The 2006 MTV Video Music Awards is a great opportunity for us to showcase our Flex Fuel, E85 ethanol-compatible vehicles, as well as spread the word about Chevrolet's product portfolio that boasts nine out of 10 cars with over 30 mpg fuel economy."

Chevrolet's "green" contribution will not only include 60 Flex fuel vehicles which are able to use both gasoline and ethanol, but a 2007 Chevy Tahoe Concept will be delivering celebrities to the red carpet as well. The popular GM brand will also host a pre-show concert, "Chevy Fly-Cam", and on-line advertising.

Looks like "yellow" is the "new black".

[Source: PaddockTalk]

Chevrolet and MTV bringin' ethanol to the 2006 MTV Music Awards originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 25 Aug 2006 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptFooseMTVMTV Music Awardsred carpetFri, 25 Aug 2006 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Used SUV sales also slammed by low consumer interest]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/use-suv-sales-also-slammed-by-low-consumer-interest/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/use-suv-sales-also-slammed-by-low-consumer-interest/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/use-suv-sales-also-slammed-by-low-consumer-interest/#commentsFiled under: ,



While sales of fuel-efficient cars and even small SUVs have been up, Americans who previously purchased mid-sized to large SUVs are finding it increasing difficult to sell individually or even trade them at dealerships.

Gas prices are the biggest culprit with most older SUV models barely climbing into the twenties for fuel efficiency. Worse, since used car buyers tend to have lower incomes than new vehicle purchasers, sellers have been forced to price their SUV below blue book value. States Robert Jerkin of East Brunswick, New Jersey, "We had paid about $30,000 for it (2000 Dodge Durango); the Blue Book price when we went to sell it was $8,000. We started advertising at $7,900 and kept dropping it. Nobody wanted a gas-guzzler, and there were so many being advertised at the same time." Jenkins eventually found a buyer who purchased the SUV for $6,000.

Dealerships have been especially taxed since the value of large SUV fluctuates constantly. Serra Automotive president Joseph Serra sees appraised prices change weekly. Only well-equipped, top-of-the line large SUVs, agree analysts, sell well since such buyers are less concerned with fuel costs.

[Source: Detroit News via Mobilemag]

Used SUV sales also slammed by low consumer interest originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealershipresaleused vehiclesThu, 24 Aug 2006 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus LS coming to Japan next month with hybrid in 2007]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/lexus-ls-coming-to-japan-next-month-with-hybrid-in-2007/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/lexus-ls-coming-to-japan-next-month-with-hybrid-in-2007/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/lexus-ls-coming-to-japan-next-month-with-hybrid-in-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Toyota Motor Corp. continues its plans to introduce its luxury brand in its home country. (Lexus debuted in the U.S. in 1989 but did not arrive in Japan until last year.) According to spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto, the Lexus LS will arrive in dealershipsnext month with the hybrid version to be available sometime in early 2007.

The LS is part of Toyota's plan to compete with foreign automakers like BMW who dominate the Japanese luxury segment. The world's second largest automaker plans to double its luxury lineup to eight by 2010 with a rumored SUV, a sports car, and two other models. It's unknown if any of these future vehicles will include hybrids.

[Source: AFX News via Forbes]

Lexus LS coming to Japan next month with hybrid in 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>JapanLSThu, 24 Aug 2006 09:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford, GM clash over best alternative fuel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/23/ford-gm-clash-over-best-alternative-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/23/ford-gm-clash-over-best-alternative-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/23/ford-gm-clash-over-best-alternative-fuel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Ethanol or liquid petroleum gas (LPG)? Battle lines for alternative fuels are being drawn between automakers General Motors and Ford Motor Co. with much of the differences based on nationality.

Saab, which is owned by General Motors, is backing ethanol as the fuel of the future. Ford Australia is backing LPG. Both marques point out that their vehicles simply cannot support the other's fuel either technologically or, in most cases, nationally. States spokeswoman Sinead McAlary of Ford, "Cars in Australia are not built to run on E85, and there isn't an E85 network here to allow people to fuel their vehicles. It would take a total shift of the [automotive] market and sizeable resources [for E85 to become viable here]. And it would take significant steps for the fuel to become well recognised by people in Australia."

Saab counters that its ethanol-powered vehicles are exempt from certain charges and fees like parking in the city of Stockholm. Also, most European automakers have discontinued investment in LPG technologies, focusing instead on ethanol. Finally, the Swedish automaker points out that its Biopower Saab turbo engines actually perform more effectively with ethanol instead of LPG and can even run on unleaded fuel.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]

Ford, GM clash over best alternative fuel originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Australialiquid petroleum gaslpgSwedenWed, 23 Aug 2006 11:06:00 EST<![CDATA[How to reach $4 a gallon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/how-to-reach-4-a-gallon/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/how-to-reach-4-a-gallon/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/how-to-reach-4-a-gallon/#commentsFiled under:

With gas prices to remain steady around $3 a gallon, the media's been having a field day, predicting that $4 may be reached by year's end.

Apparently, though, it'll take a lot of factors to jack up prices to such a level. States analyst Mark Routt of the Energy Security Analysis, Inc., "One of two things would have to happen for prices to increase 50 cents to a dollar. Either there would have to be a massive increase in demand globally, which is unlikely, or a massive drop in supply, which would push the price of crude up."

Factors that could affect prices include refinery problems, pipeline issues, or another hurricane. Currently, crude oil and gas prices are actually dropping as inventories build, cease-fire in the Middle East between Hezballah and Israel; and BP continues to pump fuel in Alaska.

At $4 a gallon, would most Americans cut back in their driving habits? Most analysts and consumers interviewed agree that the price will have little impact in their driving habits, stating the gasoline-powered car is too much of a necessity in their lives.

[Source: Detroit News]

How to reach $4 a gallon originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gasoline pricesGasolinePriceslifestyleMon, 21 Aug 2006 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Segway i2 and x2 Transporters]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/segway-i2-and-x2-transporters/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/segway-i2-and-x2-transporters/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/segway-i2-and-x2-transporters/#commentsFiled under:

Earlier this month, Segway Inc., debuted its two Personal Transporters (PT), the versatile i2 (pictured) and the all-terrain x2. Both are equipped with "LeanSteer" which allows the driver to direct the electric vehicle just by simply leaning in the desired direction. Previously, drivers could only control backward and forward movement.

The new Transporters are also equipped with a wireless controller to allow its owner to move it remotely as well as notify them if someone steps on the vehicle.

The i2 and x2 cost $4995 and $ 5495 respectively.

Related:
[Source: New York Times]

Segway i2 and x2 Transporters originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>i2LeanSteerPersonal TransporterremoteSegwaywireless controlx2Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda arms London police with largest order of hybrids]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/honda-arms-london-police-with-largest-order-of-hybrids/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/honda-arms-london-police-with-largest-order-of-hybrids/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/honda-arms-london-police-with-largest-order-of-hybrids/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Honda Motor Co. has scored another coup for its hybrid program. The Metropolitan Police of London is leasing over a hundred of the automaker's Civic hybrids as part of its "Safer Neighbor" program. States director of Transport Services Stuart Middleton of the Metropolitan Police, the hybrids, "meet police requirements and at the same time fulfil social responsibility to try and make our fleet of vehicles as green as possible. The police, like many other like-minded people, want to do their bit."

Related:
[Source: The Auto Channel]

Honda arms London police with largest order of hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Honda CivicHondaCivicleaseLondonMetropolitan PoliceSun, 20 Aug 2006 20:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Biodiesel viewed as cost-fighter in South Korea]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/biodiesel-viewed-as-cost-fighter-in-south-korea/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/biodiesel-viewed-as-cost-fighter-in-south-korea/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/biodiesel-viewed-as-cost-fighter-in-south-korea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

South Korea may become the Asian equivalent to Brazil in producing biofuel. Singapore, one of the largest regional oil refiners, has easy access to palm oil, a component of biodiesel, from Malaysia and Indonesia. Already one entrepreneur, Kom Mam Sun, who opened his biodiesel plant in June, has earned a profit from his biodiesel plant.

But German commodities company Cremer Gruppe has more ambitious plans. It plans to build a biodiesel plant in Singapore by 2007 which will produce over 200,000 tons of biodiesel. According to Cremer Gruppe's marketing director John Hall, the company plans to sell the fuel at $40 a barrel, considerably less than the current $70 a barrel for crude oil. While many environmentalists continue to debate biodiesel productions ultimate effects, analysts say interest in alternatives continue to increase. States analyst Victor Shum, "The fuel market is so big that biodiesel can't make a significant difference and will only be a small fraction of the overall diesel use in Asia. But with oil prices so high these days, biodiesel does get more and more cost-effective."

Related:
[Source: Reuters]

Biodiesel viewed as cost-fighter in South Korea originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 20 Aug 2006 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>palm oilSouth KoreaSouthKoreaSun, 20 Aug 2006 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Biodiesel to finally come to Japan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/biodiesel-to-finally-come-to-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/biodiesel-to-finally-come-to-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/20/biodiesel-to-finally-come-to-japan/#commentsFiled under:

Quick. Which countries are the top three consumers of oil? If "Japan" was one of your answers, you'll be nearly unbeatable in trivia.

The third largest consumer, finally facing increasing gas prices, is enacting new legislation this year to increase biodiesel production. Lawmakers, though, admit the laws will probably have little effect at first. Compliance is primarily voluntary, for example. There are no rules on quality control or require any minimum percentage of biodiesel/fuel blending. Finally, there are few incentives: diesel vehicles are scarce in Japan and biodiesel would have to be imported from other countries since there's insufficient land to grow biofuel profitably.

Related:
[Source: Scientific America]

Biodiesel to finally come to Japan originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 20 Aug 2006 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>JapanlawsSun, 20 Aug 2006 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Is OPEC entering the ethanol market?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/17/is-opec-entering-the-ethanol-market/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/17/is-opec-entering-the-ethanol-market/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/17/is-opec-entering-the-ethanol-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Could OPEC be looking to go green? Or is the cartel warily keeping an eye on a possible competitor? Edmund Daukoru, president of OPEC and also the oil minister of Nigeria, recently met with Petrobras CEO Sergio Gabrielli. Apparently Petrobras, which is owned by Brazil, is looking into importing liquid petroleum gas (LPG) from Nigeria. Brazil imports LPG from neighboring Bolivia, which has been steadily increasing its prices.

But it's Daukoru's interest in the world's ethanol capital that's of interest. He is meeting with Petrobras to discuss importing ethanol into Nigeria while the African nation looks into building its own ethanol production.

Note that Nigeria, as the U.S.' fifth largest source of imported oil, is not facing a fuel shortage. Is Daukoru's visit a harbinger of the future? Or mutual economic policy?

[Source: Associated Press via Houston Chronicle, Wikipedia]

Is OPEC entering the ethanol market? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrazilLPGNigeriaOPECThu, 17 Aug 2006 08:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford, Sweden meet to develop new hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/ford-sweden-meet-to-develop-new-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/ford-sweden-meet-to-develop-new-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/ford-sweden-meet-to-develop-new-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ford CEO Bill Ford and Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson met to discuss plans to develop a center where environmentally friendly technologies such as a new hybrid vehicle would be developed. Volvo Car Corporation, one of Ford's Premiere Auto Group, will be contributing more than $1 billion dollars to such technology while the Swedish government will be contributing $14 million as part of the country's plan to be oil-free by 2010. Ford will later meet this week with Swedish industrial leaders on advancing the country's companies world-wide.

[Source: Associated Press via Houston Chronicle]

Ford, Sweden meet to develop new hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Aug 2006 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>SwedenTue, 15 Aug 2006 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Australia to offer $2000 for drivers to convert to LPG]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/australia-to-offer-2000-for-drivers-to-convert-to-lpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/australia-to-offer-2000-for-drivers-to-convert-to-lpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/australia-to-offer-2000-for-drivers-to-convert-to-lpg/#commentsFiled under:

We had previously posted that Australian Prime Minister John Howard had been considering offering a $1,000 (approximately 767 American dollars) incentive to all drivers who converted their vehicles to use liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as part of his new energy package. Well, the amount is officially $2,000 for current vehicles. Upcoming LPG-powered vehicles continues to remain $1,000.

According to Alan Evans, chief of the National Road and Motorist Association, drivers with average driving will pay off the LPG costs within months. A bigger issue, he states, will be getting the conversion quickly. Says Evans, "The problem would be getting vehicles converted in time. There's a limited number of people who are qualified to fit LPG to motor vehicles. This is something you cannot have your backyard mechanic do. It needs a qualified person."

[Source: Canberra Times]

Australia to offer $2000 for drivers to convert to LPG originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliaLPGsubsidyTue, 15 Aug 2006 09:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Relearning to drive from 'hypermiler']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/relearning-to-drive-from-hypermiler/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/relearning-to-drive-from-hypermiler/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/relearning-to-drive-from-hypermiler/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


A stock (right from the dealership) hybrid that gets over 90 miles per gallon? A Toyota Prius that receives over 1,200 miles on a single tank of fuel without any mods? How'd these vehicles achieve such miles without technology?

The drivers did it. Called 'hypermilers', these individuals modified their driving habits to maximizing their vehicles' fuel efficiency. Reporter Joshua Zumbrun consulted such individuals to maximize the mileage of his Honda Insight (pictured). He learned from father and son Fons about websites such as GreenHybrid.com where hypermilers obsessively watch their mileage and adapt their driving habits to burn every ounce of fuel. Eventually Zumbrun, after following some of the suggestions, was able to achieve over 75 mpg on one trip in his Insight. EPA estimate for the diminutive hybrid is 57 mpg city, 56 highway.

[Source: Washington Post via Detroit News]

Relearning to drive from 'hypermiler' originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Aug 2006 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hypermilersInsighttipsTue, 15 Aug 2006 08:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Mommy? What's petroleum?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/13/mommy-what-s-petroleum/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/13/mommy-what-s-petroleum/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/13/mommy-what-s-petroleum/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Richard Webb speculates what a world without any products made from petroleum would be like. He points out, though, his thoughts are not mere musings or an environmentalist's hope, but a projection of continued high gas prices and their impact on society. He describes the path to said future, from U.S. and China's voracious appetite for oil, BP's issue in Alaska, and, finally, the "third shock" that will hit when the cost of oil reaches $100 a barrel by 2008. Webb agrees with analysts who see continued public interest in alternative fuels, a rise of corn prices due to ethanol production and a similar decrease in coal as a major fuel source.

[Source: The Age]

Mommy? What's petroleum? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 13 Aug 2006 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>trendsSun, 13 Aug 2006 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Australia may offer $1,000 subsidy for LPG switch]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/13/australia-may-offer-1-000-subsidy-for-lpg-switch/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/13/australia-may-offer-1-000-subsidy-for-lpg-switch/http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/13/australia-may-offer-1-000-subsidy-for-lpg-switch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard may be offering drivers a $1,000 (approximately 767 American dollars) incentive to modify their vehicles to use liquid petroleum gas (LPG or autogas) as part of his energy policy. LPG is less costly than regular petrol (gasoline); Australians would save up to $30 (23 American dollars) weekly after converting their engines.

Originally, the plan included new vehicles debuting in 2011. Howard's offer would include existing vehicles as well. Staff close to the PM state the plan is one of many still being considered before Howard's announcement later this week. The subsidy may actually be higher than the touted $1,000. Subsidies for ethanol are also being considered as well.

Related:
[Source: The Age, Wikipedia]

Australia may offer $1,000 subsidy for LPG switch originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 13 Aug 2006 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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