We Obsessively Cover the Green Scene…

Listen in to a fascinating conversation that took place yesterday on green car politics, featured on the radio show, "Your Call." (KALW, 91.7 FM, San Francisco, CA). The show gave me a chance to discuss some of my research on "The Clean Car Movement," and also featured Meghan Sinott (Organizer for the Car Free Cities Conference in Portland, OR), Michou Olivera (Co-Owner of Luscious Garage, San Francisco), and Russ Heimerich (Spokesman for California Bureau of Automotive Affairs Drive Healthy Campaign).

Some of the topics we discussed include whether green cars obscure public transportation alternatives, who defines what a "green" car is, and what alternatives exist today for consumers looking for the greenest possible options. Near the end of the show, Michou Olivera, who also repairs muscle cars on the weekends, gives a strong defense for the continued use of the internal combustion engine. I guess she never drove a Tesla....

You've heard about plug-in hybrid conversions to the Toyota Prius. Now, a new company offers another eco-upgrade - E85 conversions. A Dutch firm named GreenFuelSystems has created an E85 bio-ethanol conversion kit that is available for 549 Euros. While the English-language version of the company's site is lacking in substantive information, they are currently being hailed as the first group to bring an E85 conversion kit to the market.

What would be truly remarkable is to see a Prius with both types of conversions: a flex-fuel, plug-in hybrid. While there is much talk about the possibilities of converging both alternative fuel and electric charging capabilities, we have yet to see entrepreneurs and innovators bring such projects to the public. With the emergence of this E85 conversion kit (if it is functional and viable), we may possibly begin to see a new wave of green vehicle renovations. Note: In some respects it is harder to do a flex-fuel hybrid than a plug-in.

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Both Senators McCain and Obama have expressed support towards the development of alternative fuel and vehicle technologies - but which candidate has the best green car platform? The Christian Science Monitor brought together five clean energy experts to assess each candidate's platform. Here's where the candidates stand:

Obama:
1- Calls for federal investments of $150 billion over 10 years for next-generation fuels and for commercialization of plug-in hybrids.
2- Wants an expansion of locally-owned biofuel refineries.
3- Plans to add 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels to fuel supply by 2022.
4- Intends to double fuel economy standards within 18 years, while offering tax breaks and federal loan guarantees to US auto companies.
5- Calls for federal tax credits for hybrids.
6- Wants all new cars to be flex-fuel vehicles.

McCain:
1- Wants to create a tax credit for consumers of up to $5,000 for buying a green car.
2- Plans to establish penalties to car companies for violating federal fuel-efficiency standards.
3- Calls for a $300 million prize to improve battery technology for plug-in hybrid or electric cars.
4- Wants to remove or reduce tariffs on imported ethanol.

What is interesting, however, is that both McCain and Obama have recently come out in support of off-shore drilling for oil. Such a move sends a message to automakers to continue production of internal combustion engine vehicles, rather than stimulate alternative vehicle development.

As we move into the next U.S. Presidency, it is important for potential candidates to consider the wider ramifications of green car policy development. Such initiatives need to be thought out in a comprehensive fashion to avoid sending mixed signals to the industry.

[Source: Christian Science Monitor]

For those of you who think you'd never fit into a Smart Car, Shaquille O'Neill is defying all doubts. The basketball star has reportedly purchased a Smart Car for his personal use. Myride.com has devised a couple of entertaining diagrams to show how this physical feat can actually be accomplished.

While Shaq has increased his green cred with his Smart Car purchase, some sites have called him "stupid" for "tasting his knees."

Initially, the Smart Car was not expected to do well in the U.S. due to consumer preferences for large vehicles. SInce production of the Smart Car began in January 2008, however, the vehicle has been in considerable demand.

Roger Penske, chairman of the Penske Automotive Group of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Smart's sole American distributor, has said that, "If Daimler AG of Germany can deliver enough vehicles to the US, Smart sales could reach between 30,000 and 32,000 units in 2009."

In the meantime, the Smart Car EV is reported to still be in the works. A prospective distributor in Arizona is in talks with electric car dealerships to deliver the vehicles in the near future.

[Source: MyRide.com]

While much of the green car field is devoted to developing technology of new vehicles, what about the 800 million vehicles already on the road today? What if the technology existed to green your existing vehicle at a low cost and minimal effort to you?

I recently had the opportunity to learn about Blade, a small attachment that fits to your tailpipe to increase gas mileage and trap dirty particulates. It fits most cars, but works best on 4-cylinder vehicles. It is reported that Blade can increase gas mileage on these types of vehicles by up to 34 percent. The promoters also say the Blade reduces emissions of carbon dioxide (6 percent), nitrous oxide (34 percent), methane (33 percent), hydrocarbons (57 percent), and carbon monoxide (14 percent). At $199, it has an average payback period of less than six months. You can install it yourself with the help of their how-to videos online, or take your car to an authorized installer near you.

"The worst thing that you do to the environment everyday is turn the key of your car...This is something that individuals can do to really make a difference," Bill O'Brien (CEO) told AutoblogGreen in an interview. The Crystal Method DJs agreed. Before their performance at a recent demonstration event about the Blade in Venice, CA, they added that they liked the filter because it made their car look like a "James Bond mobile."

Today is the last day of the exciting convention, Plug-In 2008: A Short Drive to Tomorrow, here in San Jose, CA. While I haven't had much chance to post during this time, I have been able to film several interesting presentations and interviews. These video segments will be made available on AutoBlogGreen in the very near future.

What I found that made this conference unique, in addition to being the first such convergence dedicated to plug-in hybrid technology, was the bridging of the tech community in Silicon Valley with the plug-in hybrid industry. On Tuesday, Andy Grove (Former Chairman & CEO of Intel Corporation) gave a luncheon speech that drew parallels between the eary days of the microprocessor industry and the current experiences of the plug-in hybrid field. He called for a grand vision - a commitment from those in the policy realm, industry, and research community to facilitate the production 10 million plug-in hybrid cars by 2012.

Dr. Andy Frank (U.C. Davis) provided a counterpoint in perspective during Wednesday's luncheon speech. Dr. Frank has spent the last forty years of his research endeavors dedicated to the development of plug-in hybrid technology. While he mentioned that the field has made considerable progress during this time, he sadly lamented that there are only about 200 plug-in hybrid vehicles in existence globally today (five of which are his). Dr. Frank remained optimistic, however, and stressed the need for faster progress in the field.

Yesterday, government officials in Quebec passed an ordinance to allow neighborhood electric vehicles on the streets. Well, ok, not on just any street.

The NEVs are only allowed on roads with a speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour or less. They must have a triangular sign attached to the rear showing that it is a slow-moving vehicle. And they must not be driven on roads with a slope of 15 per cent (8.5 degrees) or higher.

For anyone familiar with NEVs, however, these regulations are pretty standard. They are commensurate with the performance capabilities of the vehicle.

This is great news for ZENN Motors Co., one of the major manufacturers of NEVs, considering that they are based in Canada. Finally, more Canadians can enjoy the pleasant bliss of a leisurely-paced electric vehicle for all their in-town needs.

Let's say that you are the enterprising sort. Let's also say that you are passionate about electric vehicle technology. You recently learned about a Chinese company that is producing what appear to be some very cool electric vehicles. Given that major OEMs in the US are not producing electric cars, and given that there appears to be a fair amount of consumer demand, you decide to take a chance. You see an opportunity and you take it. You build a company around this product and you start taking orders. There's one small problem, however. The company is not ready to ship the cars. Or there's a technological glitch. Or they're waiting for a new version of the battery. Whatever it is, your dealers are getting impatient and calling you a fraud.

I'm not sure if this was the exact situation for Michael Papp, owner of the now defunct Spark EV. Papp was recently charged and arrested for failing to deliver 14 electric cars to Electric Transportation of Arkansas and Electric Cars of Houston. Today, Papp was ordered by a Pennsylvania Court to pay $100,000 to these companies to avoid criminal charges. His lawyer says that he will pay the amount.

While I am not absolving Papp, I wish to bring attention to the day-to-day reality that characterizes many e.v. start-ups. As several electric vehicle entrepreneurs have realized, starting a car company in a field dominated by multi-billion dollar corporations is not easy. What compounds the problem further is that electric vehicle entrepreneurs are in the business of "disruptive technology." Producing and selling cars based on a new technological platform requires a lot more time, money, skill, and luck than most entrepreneurs realize when they begin their dream. Perhaps it is this lack of foresight, coupled with an overwhelming desire to get this technology on the road, that causes many companies to over-promise and under-deliver.

It's definitely a sign of further maturation for the new Tesla Dealership in Santa Monica, CA. Tesla is seeking a "talented and experienced" vehicle technician to service their sexy works of automotive design.

What is interesting are the job requirements. All that is needed are a high school diploma and an A.A. degree in automotive technology (or equivalent experience). I realize that for most other types of vehicle technician positions, this is entirely satisfactory. And, as my good friend, Paul Scott (from Plug In America), writes, "If they make them as good as Toyota made their Rav4 EV, you won't have much to do except chat with some fun people...Well, okay, and rotate the tires and stuff."

Still, I would think that some kind of specialized or credentialed education in electric vehicle technology would be necessary. This position is a prime example of the "green collar job" that is gaining cachet in policy and planning circles. Of course, it takes a while for the educational field to catch up with the emergence of technologically innovative industries. However, in California, there is an established network of community colleges that provides technical training in alternative vehicle technologies.

Surprisingly, many of the courses offered through these colleges are under-enrolled. When speaking with an instructor of a course in electric car conversions at the Long Beach campus this past semester, I was told the course was canceled because students think that "the electric car is dead."

With the advent of more job postings like this, perhaps we will begin to see more youth interest in electric vehicle technology and the expansion of clean vehicle education.

Who's to blame for the current spike in oil prices and who exactly is benefiting? It seems everyone has an answer to these questions lately. Regardless of whether one believes that we should drill the ANWR region, end oil speculation, boost refinery capability, or pressure automakers to deliver fuel-efficient or electric vehicles, it still doesn't take away the current sting of paying more for gas than we've ever experienced.

That sting has been aptly called "nozzlerage." Some creative filmmakers decided to channel their nozzlerage into an entertaining video on youtube.

Many in the green transportation field see high gas prices as the ultimate motivator to shift the transportation paradigm on a mass scale. Not only are Americans starting to think differently about fossil fuel usage, but they are also acting differently. Current prices have led to the greatest change in driving behavior since the 1970s. While this change is still only a 1% drop in average miles driven over a six month period, it is considered a "historic" phenomenon.

Perhaps nozzlerage can be good thing?

Car dealers are realizing that there's more to green cars than what's under the hood. Check out what this innovative dealership has done to green their entire operations.This dealership houses its own geothermal pump, cleans its cars from recycled water, has a water-soluble paint booth, and powers its repair machinery on biodiesel. And....they've increased their sales as a result!

With the current GM slump in sales and increased layoffs, perhaps it would be wise for GM to encourage similar endeavors at more dealerships throughout the country.

"Plug-In 2008: A Short Drive to Tomorrow" is the world's first convention dedicated exclusively to plug-in hybrid technology. The event tales place next week, July 21-24, in San Jose, CA.

See the full agenda of speakers and further details here.

The convention is a testament to how quickly plug-In hybrid technology is coming of age. It was only in 2004 that a group of curious mechanics decided to see what would happen if they installed a larger battery in their Toyota Prius. They succeeded in boosting the gas mileage to an average of 100 mpg. In the short years that followed, the technology has gathered support from major decision-makers and media pundits around the country. These mechanics helped spawn the budding industry of plug-in hybrid conversion companies and, quite possibly, nudged major industry players in this direction. Of course, we now know these legendary tinkerers as the founders of the plug-in hybrid advocacy group, CalCars.

Next week should be exciting. I will most likely be there as well, since I am currently writing my Ph.D. dissertation on the "Clean Car Movement." As a new member of the AutoblogGreen team, I look forward to bringing our readers the latest news on the most innovative technology and the people behind it.