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[Landfill methane could be used to power garbage trucks]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/landfill-methane-could-be-used-to-power-garbage-trucks/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/landfill-methane-could-be-used-to-power-garbage-trucks/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/landfill-methane-could-be-used-to-power-garbage-trucks/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Lycoming County landfill in Pennsylvania may one day refuel some of the trucks that deliver waste, using methane gas made from that waste. The ambitious project will run parallel to the production of methane gas for an electric plant on site. About 33 percent of the methane produced is dedicated to electricity. Building an adjacent liquid-methane truck-fuel production facility would cost between $8 million and $30 million. Up to 5,000 gallons of liquid methane could be produced a day, or enough to satisfy the appetite of 30 trucks. About 230 trucks deliver waste to the landfill each day.

[Source: David Thompson / Williamsport Sun-Gazette]

Landfill methane could be used to power garbage trucks originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>David ThompsonDavidThompsonLycoming CountyLycomingCountyFri, 27 Apr 2007 15:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Supercomputer helping crack cellulose enzyme mysteries]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/supercomputer-helping-crack-cellulose-enzyme-mysteries/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/supercomputer-helping-crack-cellulose-enzyme-mysteries/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/supercomputer-helping-crack-cellulose-enzyme-mysteries/#commentsFiled under: ,



The San Diego Supercomputer Center is crunching a few billion numbers to help scientists produce a virtual look into producing ethanol from cellulose. We know that making ethanol from cellulose feedstocks is more efficient in the long run than corn, and cellulose feedstocks won't bother the world's food supply. But engineers have a tough time breaking down the cellulose into sugars, which are then fermented into ethanol. Scientists are conducting molecular simulations to improve the conversion.

This virtual microscope allows scientists to see a process that occurs far too fast to capture visually. According to the center, the simulation runs about 6 million time steps over a 12-nanosecond timeframe. This is considered long in molecular terms but requires some 80,000 processor hours on the computer.

[Source: San Diego Supercomputer Center]

Supercomputer helping crack cellulose enzyme mysteries originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Canadian truckers tout environmental benefits of double trailers]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/canadian-truckers-tout-environmental-benefits-of-double-trailers/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/canadian-truckers-tout-environmental-benefits-of-double-trailers/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/canadian-truckers-tout-environmental-benefits-of-double-trailers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



A study from the Canadian Trucking Alliance says it confirms that double trailer towing can reduce climate-change emissions and improve highway safety.

The two-year study compared data from 10 fleets that operate both single trailers and what is commonly referred to as a "turnpike double." Conclusions from the study say turnpike doubles:
  • Are safer based on per-vehicle-kilometer-of-travel comparisons.
  • Can save average of 28.8 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers of travel compared single trailers moving same volume of weight.
  • Can reduce the number of trucks on the road by 6-10 percent.
If, the study reports, the use turnpike doubles expanded, more than 260 million liters of fuel would be saved and 730 kilotons of greenhouse gases would not be spewed into the atmosphere.

All I can go on is information found in a news releases. Critics haven't responded or had time to review the study's data. But most motorists have an opinion on turnpike doubles based on their own experiences. From a strictly environmental standpoint, they make sense. They reduce the number of vehicles on the road, so there is a possibility that the overall effect is safer. But I've been to Australia a couple times and encountered "road trains" in the bush country, and it's absolutely frightening to see a massive tractor pulling three huge trailers coming at you on a two-lane road.

If they're kept on Interstates, turnpike trailers may have a legitimate role in helping reduce emissions. I would suggest that any diesel pulling a double trailer must be 2007 or later and running some form of biodiesel as a gesture that it's the cleanest possible method of transportation and an incentive to fleets to modernize their inventory and truck stops to offer biofuels. Despite the benefits, there will be considerable emotion playing into any regulatory decision that might open up more highways to double trailers or allow expanded use.

[Source: Webwire]

Canadian truckers tout environmental benefits of double trailers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>turnpike doubleTurnpikeDoubleThu, 26 Apr 2007 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[San Francisco offspring of Beavis and Butthead promote biodiesel, and shame us all]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/offspring-of-beavis-and-butthead-promote-biodiesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/offspring-of-beavis-and-butthead-promote-biodiesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/offspring-of-beavis-and-butthead-promote-biodiesel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Just watch.

Obvious comments need not be posted. Let's be kind to the feeble minded who generated this insipid video developed in cooperation between Pacific Gas & Electric and the city of San Francisco.

But I do think the dull-witted braintrust behind this video has been drinking water from Hinkley (Google Erin Brockovich if you don't understand the connection). I'm trying to figure out the motive: are they making fun of farmers and exploiting stereotypes? Or did they develop these characters after looking in a mirror? What do Laurie David and Sheryl Crow have to say after putting so much effort in promoting biodiesel recently?

Just ask yourself; what does vandalism and animal abuse have to do with biodiesel? I have a liberal sense of humor, but come on; this is just plain stupid and insulting to anyone who cares about alternative fuels. Let's hope marketers with more intelligence are in charge of biodiesel promotions elsewhere. Any more clueless PSAs like this and I'll be second-guessing biodiesel.

On second thought, maybe you should comment.

[Source: LetsGreenThisCity.com]

San Francisco offspring of Beavis and Butthead promote biodiesel, and shame us all originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[San Francisco opens first commercial B20 station]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/25/san-francisco-opens-first-commercial-b20-station/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/25/san-francisco-opens-first-commercial-b20-station/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/25/san-francisco-opens-first-commercial-b20-station/#commentsFiled under: , ,



San Francisco has plans to covert the city's entire fleet of diesel vehicles to run on B20 biodiesel by the end of this year. Now there's a commercial gas station ready to sell B20 to any vehicle that can digest the fuel. Located in the industrial neighborhood known as Dogpatch, the Olympian station sells the fuel partially made out of grease collected from city restaurants. So far, about 39 percent of city's fleet have made the switch to B20. The city also wants to convert the public bus system to B20. The Olympian station was the first station to in North America to offer B100 and also one of the first to offer ultra-low sulfur diesel.

[Source: Erica Ogg / CNET News]

San Francisco opens first commercial B20 station originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>B100biodieselWed, 25 Apr 2007 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Biodiesel-powered Earthrace blows engine but still has sights set on world record]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/25/biodiesel-powered-earthrace-blows-engine-but-still-has-sights-se/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/25/biodiesel-powered-earthrace-blows-engine-but-still-has-sights-se/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/25/biodiesel-powered-earthrace-blows-engine-but-still-has-sights-se/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This time it's a wounded engine that has sidelined the round-the-world record attempt of the Earthrace boat. The starboard engine started failing in the Marshall Islands when a fuel injector broke and damaged the No. 1 cylinder of the Cummins engine. An engineering team is flying out of Hawaii with repair parts, but the boat is in an isolated location in the Caroline Islands.

Earthrace started in Barbados on March 10 but lost about 20 days to early repairs and when it was held near Guatemala following a collision at sea where a local fisherman was killed. Earthrace probably can't set the world marine circumnavigation record of 75 days with a Caribbean to Caribbean route. But if the team doesn't have any more problems and goes past its original starting point on to San Diego, then it has a chance with a California to California route.

[Source: Stuff]

Related:
Earthrace boat cleared to retry record run

Biodiesel-powered Earthrace blows engine but still has sights set on world record originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:16:00 EST<![CDATA[EVette on the news; also shows off its maneuverability]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/evette-on-the-news-also-shows-off-its-maneuverability/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/evette-on-the-news-also-shows-off-its-maneuverability/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/evette-on-the-news-also-shows-off-its-maneuverability/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We introduced you to the EVette last year. It's a homebuilt electric 2-seat, 3-wheeler. Builder Tom Sines over the weekend posted a couple of videos on YouTube. One demonstrates the vehicle's zero turn radius and the other is a report from a local TV station that includes an electric pickup doing a burnout. The car does not have a steering wheel; instead a joystick controls braking and steering via drive-by-wire to the rear wheels. The front wheel is not a load-bearing wheel, so Sines can back a lot of batteries under the Countach-style replica body. Sines is still looking for investors.

[Source: electricevette.com]

EVette on the news; also shows off its maneuverability originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evettetom sinesTomSinesTue, 24 Apr 2007 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Car-share programs heat up Chicago]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/car-share-programs-heat-up-chicago/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/car-share-programs-heat-up-chicago/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/car-share-programs-heat-up-chicago/#commentsFiled under: ,

Car-share programs, those unique memberships with around-the-clock access to cars parked throughout urban neighborhoods, is starting to look good as a profit enterprise. I-GO was started five years ago by a Chicago non-profit as an experiment. Now it has 80 vehicles and adds more than 200 new members a month.

But there's also a for-profit car-sharing program called Zipcar that recently rolled into Chicago. Zipcar already has 110 cars in rotation and will double that number soon.

The competition in Chicago reflects a small but growing opportunity for car-share programs across the country. One researcher estimates just over 100,000 people share about 2,600 vehicles. Zipcar claims its members can save more than $435 month by using car sharing and not purchasing a car.

[Source: Lori Rackl / Chicago Sun Times]

Car-share programs heat up Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>I-GOLori RacklLoriRacklZipcarMon, 23 Apr 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Biofuels threaten cheap beer in Germany]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/biofuels-threaten-cheap-beer-in-germany/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/biofuels-threaten-cheap-beer-in-germany/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/biofuels-threaten-cheap-beer-in-germany/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

First, tortillas in Mexico, now beer in Germany will cost more as crop yields shift toward biofuel production. Brewers say they have no choice but to pass along the higher costs of barley, which has nearly doubled in price in a year. There was a poor harvest last year but many fields have been dedicated to biofuel production this year. Experts say the amount of land for barley is decreasing about five percent. With so much land going to biofuels, the beer makers want the government to stop offering subsidies.

[Source: AFP via servihoo.com]

Biofuels threaten cheap beer in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barley biofuelBarleyBiofuelbiodiesel beerbiodiesel germanyBiodieselBeerBiodieselGermanybiofuel beerbiofuel germanyBiofuelBeerBiofuelGermanyMon, 23 Apr 2007 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Eco-ethicist lashes out at pork-based biofuels]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/eco-ethicist-lashes-out-at-pork-based-biofuels/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/eco-ethicist-lashes-out-at-pork-based-biofuels/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/eco-ethicist-lashes-out-at-pork-based-biofuels/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We had the story yesterday about ConocoPhillips and Tyson teaming up to produce biodiesel in Europe from leftover pig fat. Undoubtedly animal rights activists would be upset, and we raised the possibility of religious implications. From a purely academic angle, however, is using animal waste unethical for producing fuel?

Eco-ethicist Ethan Greenhart answered the question in his column at spiked-online, and took 959 words to say no rather colorfully to pork power.

"What on Gaia's good earth were you thinking of when you applauded the further enslavement of animals and the exploitation of their bodily fluids and residue just so the likes of eco-criminal Jeremy Clarkson and other 'lads' (an acronym for 'lazy and dangerous scum', perhaps?) can do 200 miles per hour on an A-road?!" screams Greenhart in the opening paragraph, and his voice gets louder from there.

Greenhart quickly blames all of the world's problems on SUVs and oil.

"Forget butterflies flapping their wings and causing hurricanes. When you fill your car with petrol in London it causes a nightclub to explode in Karachi. Just think about that," growls Greenhart.

And it doesn't take long to equate using animal waste to the Nazi death camps.

"Please, Harold, tell me what the difference is between using dead animal blubber to power cars and the Nazis' use of the skin of death-camp victims to make lampshades?" asks Greenhart.

Greenhart tells his readers that he has a pig friend named Dubya and talks to him often. He says pigs are "beautiful, peaceful and courteous creatures."

Greenhart closes with a plea for readers not to use soaps or pet food with animal fat even though the stink from pet poo will increase.

I think many readers are over-reacting to this story. The idea, as I see it, is redirecting resources. Instead of using leftover pig fat, or any animal fat, for soaps, glue and pet food, the waste can be used for a cleaner fuel. I don't foresee animal-based biofuels generating dedicated factory farms just to feed new refineries. The pig-to-tank costs and possible negative energy return may rule out economic advantages of using swine as a specific feedstock. I think the goal is just to make better use of existing animal waste. And we're already using animal waste in myriad ways that most people are unaware. I remember writing a story on slaughterhouses for a business magazine a while back. The plant manager told me every part of the cow except the horns was used in some way, many of which we don't always recognize, or don't want to know about. Before getting all righteous over animal waste that will continue to be generated, whether biodiesel is produced or not, let's look at this issue from an economic and energy standpoint first.

[Source: Ethan Greenhart / spiked-online.com]

Eco-ethicist lashes out at pork-based biofuels originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ethan GreenhartEthanGreenhartpig biofuelPigBiofuelpork biofuelpork fuelPorkBiofuelPorkFuelSat, 21 Apr 2007 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[We know PETA will squeal, but could biodiesel made from pigs have religious implications?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/we-know-peta-will-squeal-but-could-biodiesel-made-from-pigs-hav/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/we-know-peta-will-squeal-but-could-biodiesel-made-from-pigs-hav/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/we-know-peta-will-squeal-but-could-biodiesel-made-from-pigs-hav/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Pretty soon there won't be a single living organism on earth from which someone won't be trying to extract a biofuel. We've talked about algae, corn, switchgrass, soybeans, wood chips, seaweed, chickens and even liposuction waste. (I wish ants were a biomass source.) So it wasn't much of a surprise when I found this story out of England that says an oil firm and food processing company will produce biodiesel from pig fat. ConocoPhillips says it can produce up to 175 million gallons of animal diesel a year, or about three percent of the United Kingdom's total diesel output.

But towards the end of this story, flags were raised about the ethics of replacing the tiger in your tank (oh, sorry, that's ExxonMobil) with Arnold the pig. Officials said they have yet to discuss the idea with animal rights groups or religious leaders. But PETA did come out with a statement.

"Clearly, the answer to global warming isn't to fill gas guzzling cars with ground up remains of tortured animals, it is to go vegetarian, which is something every person can afford to do and should do for the sake of their own health, animals and the environment," said PETA.

Any fuel made with swine extracts would be mixed with other types of diesel. No one would be able to tell if any bacon diesel was actually in their tank. But there is always the possibility of complaints and lawsuits. I remember the case of a man whose religion prohibited the eating of beef, and he sued a restaurant because of a slight amount of beef flavoring in the oil used to cook french fries. He claimed severe mental distress because he wasn't told.

Part of living in a multicultural society is that you must respect others, but you must also have tolerance for others. I don't foresee the day when fuel will have to be blessed or approved by religious leaders, but this issue will not go away quietly. In the end, leaded gasoline will probably get a better reputation than animal-seasoned biofuel.

[Source: BBC]

We know PETA will squeal, but could biodiesel made from pigs have religious implications? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ConocoPhillipspeta biodieselPetaBiodieselpig biodieselPigBiodieselFri, 20 Apr 2007 15:31:00 EST<![CDATA[As president, Chris Dodd would enact Corporate Carbon Tax]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/as-president-chris-dodd-would-enact-corporate-carbon-tax/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/as-president-chris-dodd-would-enact-corporate-carbon-tax/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/as-president-chris-dodd-would-enact-corporate-carbon-tax/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Chris Dodd is the first presidential candidate to support a carbon tax. David Roberts at Grist read through Dodd's energy speech from yesterday and found a firm stand on not only expanding a cap and trade bill but enacting a corporate carbon tax.

"An America that taxes the big polluters will have less pollution, more innovation and more freedom. It's that simple," said Dodd.

Dodd believes a corporate carbon tax would generate about $50 billion annually and be used to help solve energy problems and bring new technology to market.

Roberts doesn't give Dodd much of a chance since the money won't be refunded to consumers. He won't win the automakers' support, either, by proposing a 50mpg fuel economy standard. Right now he stands arguably as the greenest candidate running from either party.

[Source: David Roberts / Grist]

As president, Chris Dodd would enact Corporate Carbon Tax originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris doddChrisDoddDavid Roberts gristDavidRobertsGristFri, 20 Apr 2007 12:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Vehicles now running on gas-to-liquid diesel in South Africa]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/19/vehicles-now-running-on-gas-to-liquid-diesel-in-south-africa/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/19/vehicles-now-running-on-gas-to-liquid-diesel-in-south-africa/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/19/vehicles-now-running-on-gas-to-liquid-diesel-in-south-africa/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



A new diesel fuel refined from natural gas is now powering two Mercedes M-class SUVs in South Africa. Developed with gas-to-liquid technology, the two SUVs are believed to be the first regularly-running vehicles on GTL diesel. The new diesel has a cetane rating higher than diesel found in Europe. Other reported benefits include quieter operation and lower emissions but fuel economy is down. The GTL diesel was developed in a joint venture between Sasol and Chevron. The diesel-powered M-class SUVs were donated by Sasol Chevron to the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust and come with a big-cat paint scheme.

[Source: Richard Yarrow / The Car Connection]

Vehicles now running on gas-to-liquid diesel in South Africa originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sasal ChevronSasalChevronThu, 19 Apr 2007 11:21:00 EST<![CDATA[A car that runs on blood? Now that's entertainment!]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/19/a-car-that-runs-on-blood-now-thats-entertainment/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/19/a-car-that-runs-on-blood-now-thats-entertainment/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/19/a-car-that-runs-on-blood-now-thats-entertainment/#commentsFiled under: ,



There's a low-budget slasher movie making the film festival circuit that's amusing some critics and mystifying others, but it hasn't been labeled boring. Written, directed and produced by first-time filmmaker Alex Orr, "Blood Car" is sort of cross between "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Road Warrior," as far as I can tell from reading some of the more entertaining reviews. The flick is set in the future when gas is approaching $40 a gallon. A bike-riding, vegan school teacher sets out to develop a new fuel from wheat grass but finds that blood is the only catalyst. I'm sorry if I'm giving away too much information here, so here's my spoiler alert warning. You'll have to follow the break to find out more and watch the trailer.

Continue reading A car that runs on blood? Now that's entertainment!

A car that runs on blood? Now that's entertainment! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood carbloodcarThu, 19 Apr 2007 09:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford delivers its own Top 10 list of green achievements]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/ford-delivers-its-own-top-10-list-of-green-achievements/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/ford-delivers-its-own-top-10-list-of-green-achievements/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/ford-delivers-its-own-top-10-list-of-green-achievements/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Ford Motor Company, in observance of the upcoming Earth Day, has posted its own top 10 list of green initiatives for which the company is proud. These include clean diesel technology and use of 6-speed transmissions (shown) in vehicles, but the list also boasts cleaning up factories, improved recycling and use of sustainable fabric. The complete news release follows the jump.

[Source: Ford Motor Co.]

Continue reading Ford delivers its own Top 10 list of green achievements

Ford delivers its own Top 10 list of green achievements originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Earth DayEarthDayford top tenFordTopTenWed, 18 Apr 2007 14:03:00 EST<![CDATA[GM's Bob Lutz meets with scientists; both sides butt heads over super ecocar]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/gms-bob-lutz-meets-with-scientists-both-sides-butt-heads-over/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/gms-bob-lutz-meets-with-scientists-both-sides-butt-heads-over/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/gms-bob-lutz-meets-with-scientists-both-sides-butt-heads-over/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Union of Concerned Scientists say the technology to build a highly fuel efficient family vehicle is already available and on the shelf. So Bob Lutz challenged the scientists to show him.

"This is a challenge I want to put out to people who think they have a solution, and are so much smarter than we are," Lutz told the Wall Street Journal, and this quote was repeated in a Detroit News story. "Let them come and see us. If the technology were readily and easily available, what on earth would our motive be for withholding it?"

So the meeting with David Friedman of the UCS was held in Lutz' office, but no one is talking much about what was said. Friedman appeared to be the most frustrated, telling the News that the scientists will "have to build a driveable vehicle" to convince GM that the technology is ready and available. On the other side, Lutz maintains that the scientists don't understand the business, regulatory and consumer issues necessary to sell a car.

[Source: David Shepardson / Detroit News]

GM's Bob Lutz meets with scientists; both sides butt heads over super ecocar originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lutz ucsLutzUcsUnion of Concerned ScientistsUnionOfConcernedScientistsWed, 18 Apr 2007 11:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Could hybrid technology move into Formula 1?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/could-hybrid-technology-move-into-formula-1/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/could-hybrid-technology-move-into-formula-1/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/could-hybrid-technology-move-into-formula-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



We've already heard talk that Formula 1 officials have considered moving toward a diesel engine, now hybrids are the talk of the track. The Federation Internationale de L'Automobile, which hosts F1 racing, is considering using hybrid technology in the race cars. Toyota, which hasn't done very well since it entered F1 a few years ago, would play a strong role in such a move. A Toyota motorsports engineer said such a system would be different than the cars. Honda is also said to be developing a hybrid system capable of withstanding F1 demands on the track. While racing is the antithesis of any green movement, such a dogfight between Toyota and Honda over introducing hybrid technology on the track could turn out to be a blessing for consumer hybrids. The high-energy, high-spending, high-technology atmosphere of Formula 1 would trickle down quickly. Reaching 100mpg in normal driving may not be that far off.

Related:
[Source: Kazuo Teranishi / The Asahi Shimbun]

Could hybrid technology move into Formula 1? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1 hybridF1Hybridformula one hybridFormulaOneHybridKazuo TeranishiKazuoTeranishiTue, 17 Apr 2007 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[The Car Connection tackles Prius vs Hummer controversy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/the-car-connection-tackles-prius-vs-hummer-controversy/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/the-car-connection-tackles-prius-vs-hummer-controversy/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/17/the-car-connection-tackles-prius-vs-hummer-controversy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Bengt Halvorson at The Car Connection has posted a critical look at the controversy over the total and complete environmental cost of hybrid vehicles. Yes, they do offer better fuel economy and lower overall emissions, but some critics and analysts say recycling and production costs--including the mining of materials needed for batteries--create an overall larger environmental footprint than a gas-guzzling Hummer.

Much of this debate falls back on a study from CNW Marketing Research that states hybrids use more energy in their lifetime than a large SUV. This dust-to-dust analysis has been blasted by an official at the Union of Concerned Scientists, saying the study was contradicted by MIT and other scientific communities. Toyota has also rejected the study, saying it doesn't reflect the data the automaker has compiled in its lifecycle analysis.

I won't go into all the points raised in Halvorson's lengthy story, which offers the argument that environmental damage and energy are not synonymous. But the biggest problem with engaging in a serious debate is that CNWMR won't release its data or methodology from its report for critical peer review. Meanwhile, the report's conclusions are often stated as fact throughout conservative and anti-environmental commentary.

Related:
[Source: Bengt Halvorson /The Car Connection]

The Car Connection tackles Prius vs Hummer controversy originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bengt HalvorsonBengtHalvorsonhummer priusHummerPriusprius hummerPriusHummerTue, 17 Apr 2007 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[ForbesAutos picks the 12 greenest cars]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/forbesautos-picks-the-12-greenest-cars/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/forbesautos-picks-the-12-greenest-cars/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/forbesautos-picks-the-12-greenest-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



In selecting the 12 greenest vehicles, ForbesAutos editors split the roster between hybrids and traditional gas engines that are small and well-tuned. The editors also used EPA data to factor in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The Prius and Civic Hybrid are the only two vehicles to score the highest rating of 10 in greenhouse gases. Who's on the list? You can check out the slide show presentation but only four American brands were on the list, including the Saturn Ion (shown). No luxury hybrids were included; in fact, no vehicle on the list cost more than $35,000. I found one obvious omission: the Honda Civic GX. As a CNG-powered car it's emissions are practically zero but there was no explanation in the story why it wasn't included.

[Source: Dan Lienert / ForbesAutos]

ForbesAutos picks the 12 greenest cars originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dan LienertDanLienertEPAforbes green carsforbes greenest vehiclesForbesGreenCarsForbesGreenestVehiclesMon, 16 Apr 2007 18:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Project ForkenSwift is driving!]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/project-forkenswift-is-driving/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/project-forkenswift-is-driving/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/project-forkenswift-is-driving/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The electric car on a beer budget project is road worthy. We featured this team of EV converters earlier as they took an electric motor from a forklift and dropped it in a Geo Metro. While a welder was working on the battery rack, the team wired up six batteries for an impromptu test drive on city streets. Check out the team's website for more history on the project and updates.

[Source: YouTube]

Project ForkenSwift is driving! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric car conversionElectricCarConversionforkenswiftMon, 16 Apr 2007 16:04:00 EST