AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Suzuki will begin testing 61 mpg-Swift plug-in hybrid in Japan this fall]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/05/14/suzuki-will-begin-testing-61-mpg-swift-plug-in-hybrid-in-japan-t/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/05/14/suzuki-will-begin-testing-61-mpg-swift-plug-in-hybrid-in-japan-t/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/05/14/suzuki-will-begin-testing-61-mpg-swift-plug-in-hybrid-in-japan-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Suzuki Swift PHEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

We were first introduced to the Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid (PHEV) at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. There was little to go on at the time and virtually no information about the likelihood of production. Now there's an indication that Suzuki is starting to get serious since real-world testing will kick-off at dealerships in Japan this fall now that the Japanese government has given the Swift PHEV full certification for road use.

Powered by a 0.7-liter engine and an electric motor that combine to churn out 75 horsepower, the Swift PHEV will not win drag races, but its anticipated 61 miles per gallon rating makes up for its lack of grunt. The Japanese Ministry testing shows that the plug-in Swift can go for about 10 miles under battery power alone, courtesy of a lithium-ion pack supplied by Sanyo. Though none of the numbers here are remarkable, the Suzuki Swift and its derivatives have always drawn quite the following in Japan and this plug-in should carry on that tradition.


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Swift PHEV


Photos by Jonathon Ramsey / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Suzuki will begin testing 61 mpg-Swift plug-in hybrid in Japan this fall originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 14 May 2010 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>plug in hybridplug-inplug-in hybridplug-in-hybridPlug-inHybridpluginPlugInHybridsuzukiSuzuki SwiftSuzuki Swift hybrid plug-inSuzuki Swift PHEVSuzuki Swift Plug-in Hybridsuzuki swift sanyoSuzukiSwiftSuzukiSwiftHybridPlug-inSuzukiSwiftPhevSuzukiSwiftPlug-inHybridSuzukiSwiftSanyoswift phevSwift plug inswift plug in hybridswift plug-inswift sanyoSwiftPhevSwiftPlug-inSwiftPlugInSwiftPlugInHybridSwiftSanyoFri, 14 May 2010 12:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19477033/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19477033/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/14/suzuki-will-begin-testing-61-mpg-swift-plug-in-hybrid-in-japan-t/19477033/article-detail.xml 19477033 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/suzuki-swift-phev-tkyo-620_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/suzuki-swift-phev-tkyo-620.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt gets 230 mpg, but how? ]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/chevy-volt-gets-230-mpg-but-how/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/chevy-volt-gets-230-mpg-but-how/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/chevy-volt-gets-230-mpg-but-how/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Neither General Motors nor the EPA are making declarative statements about how, exactly, the 2011 Chevy Volt will achieve it's much-touted 230 mpg rating that was announced today. GM's most clear statement (available in full after the break) says that some consumers "may be able to be in pure electric mode on a daily basis without having to use any gas" and that "key to high-mileage performance is for a Volt driver to plug into the electric grid at least once each day." Without access to the actual method that the EPA is tentatively going to apply to plug-in vehicles (we have requests for clarification out to the EPA), all that GM's Dave Darovitz would tell us is that the number is "based on city cycles and we're not really talking in detail yet." Instead, the press release says that:
Under the new methodology being developed, EPA weights plug-in electric vehicles as traveling more city miles than highway miles on only electricity. The EPA methodology uses kilowatt hours per 100 miles traveled to define the electrical efficiency of plug-ins. Applying EPA's methodology, GM expects the Volt to consume as little as 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles in city driving. At the U.S. average cost of electricity (approximately 11 cents per kWh), a typical Volt driver would pay about $2.75 for electricity to travel 100 miles, or less than 3 cents per mile.
Frank Weber, vehicle chief engineer for the Volt, told AutoblogGreen that the EPA's method takes into account the two extremes: People who plug in every chance they get and therefore barely ever need gasoline and people who never plug in (if you're buying a Volt and never plug it in, we'd like to offer you a bridge or two. Call us). By figuring out what the average driver will do with the Volt, the EPA has declared that 230 mpg is reasonable. Weber said, "The number is in the ballpark, it is not unrealistic. The moment you are driving shorter trips, or you go on longer trips and look at your average fuel economy, this number is achievable."

Keep in mind, the 230 mpg number is only valid for the Volt's city cycle. On the highway, the number will be closer to 100 mpg. Still impressive to look at, and the first car to get triple digits from the EPA. As you can read in this detailed PDF from NREL, there is much more to think about in calculating the fuel economy of PHEVs than simply how far it can go on a single charge and then what its "regular" mpg rating is. At least, there's more to it if you're the EPA.

[Source: GM, NREL, Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Chevy Volt gets 230 mpg, but how?

Chevy Volt gets 230 mpg, but how? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>230 mpg230Mpgchevrolet volt mpgChevroletVoltMpgchevy voltChevyVoltepafuel economyFuelEconomygmvoltvolt 230 mpgvolt mpgVolt230MpgVoltMpgTue, 11 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19125763/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19125763/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/11/chevy-volt-gets-230-mpg-but-how/19125763/article-detail.xml 19125763 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/chevyvolt230mpg02_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/chevyvolt230mpg02_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Chery plans to launch 5 eco-friendly cars by 2010?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/chery-plans-to-launch-5-eco-friendly-cars-by-2010/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/chery-plans-to-launch-5-eco-friendly-cars-by-2010/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/chery-plans-to-launch-5-eco-friendly-cars-by-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Chery Riich M1 EV - Click above for a high-res gallery

Chinese automaker Chery is on quite a roll these days. Last week at the Shanghai Motor Show, Chery showed off a couple of electric vehicle concepts: the Riich M1 EV and Tiggo 3 EV, both powered by advanced lithium phosphate batteries. Joining these two EVs at the auto show were hybrid versions of the automaker's A3 small car and Futwin Coupe II, and just a few months earlier, Chery introduced the S18 electric hatchback, its first electric car ever.

That's a lot of electrified automobiles, and Chery reportedly has big plans in store for them. According to company director Yin Tongyue, all five of these models will make it into production by 2010 - an ambitious target to be sure. When it's all said and done, Chery plans to offer electric vehicles in the minicar, small sedan, midsize sedan, SUV and MPV segments. Whew.

[Source: Gasgoo]

Chery plans to launch 5 eco-friendly cars by 2010? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cherychery a3chery a3 hybridchery riich m1 evchery s18chery s18 evchery tiggochery tiggo 3 evCheryA3CheryA3HybridCheryRiichM1EvCheryS18CheryS18EvCheryTiggoCheryTiggo3EvThu, 30 Apr 2009 09:28:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1532189/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1532189/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/30/chery-plans-to-launch-5-eco-friendly-cars-by-2010/1532189/article-detail.xml 1532189 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/chery_m1_ev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/chery_m1_ev.jpg <![CDATA[Skybus offers 10 seats for $10 on every flight but ...]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/skybus-offers-10-seats-for-10-on-every-flight-but/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/skybus-offers-10-seats-for-10-on-every-flight-but/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/skybus-offers-10-seats-for-10-on-every-flight-but/#commentsFiled under: ,



Took a flight this holiday season? How much did you spend? Can you believe you can spend $10 for a flight? You can, with Skybus, a new airline that began flights in May, sells at least 10 tickets on every flight for just $10. The catch is you have to book early, checked bags will cost extra and Skybus currently only goes to and from Ohio. Low cost air lines are not a new thing but this one caught our eye because it costs so incredibly little.

Below is a Reuters video interview with the Skybus CEO and CFO. The CFO says they bought fuel-efficient planes, pilots fly efficiently and, while they hedge the costs of fuel, sooner or later the airline will pay the full cost of fuel. The efficient use of fuel is green but in the Reuters interview, the CEO says the airline lowers price so much that people take flights they would not otherwise.

That's the ironic, un-green thing about improving efficiency in transport (which we would assume reduces pollution): The cost savings may be so high that it actually increases pollution. When more people can use the transport method, even though each mile traveled is much cleaner, the net effect is not exactly eco-friendly.

Related:
[Source: Nightline]

Continue reading Skybus offers 10 seats for $10 on every flight but ...

Skybus offers 10 seats for $10 on every flight but ... originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>low-cost-airlineSkybusvideoWed, 26 Dec 2007 16:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1070746/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1070746/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/26/skybus-offers-10-seats-for-10-on-every-flight-but/1070746/article-detail.xml 1070746 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/10sky_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/10sky.jpg <![CDATA[Cracking the physics of traffic jams]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/cracking-the-physics-of-traffic-jams/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/cracking-the-physics-of-traffic-jams/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/cracking-the-physics-of-traffic-jams/#commentsFiled under: ,



If you sit in a some gridlock this holiday season, you might come to the end of the line of cars and realize, hey, there's nothing there. No accident, no police on the shoulder, just a bunch of cars that aren't getting where they want to go. Over at the Universities of Exeter (in England), Bristol and Budapest, mathematicians now think they've figured out why this happens (and wastes lots of gasoline in the process).

The short answer: braking and full roads. When there are between 10 and 15 vehicles on a one-kilometer stretch of highway and the front one hits the brakes, a "backward travelling wave" is created that can sometimes lead to traffic jams. As Dr. Gábor Orosz of the University of Exeter's School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, said in a statement: "As many of us prepare to travel long distances to see family and friends over Christmas, we're likely to experience the frustration of getting stuck in a traffic jam that seems to have no cause. Our model shows that overreaction of a single driver can have enormous impact on the rest of the traffic, leading to massive delays." He continued: "When you tap your brake, the traffic may come to a full stand-still several miles behind you. It really matters how hard you brake - a slight braking from a driver who has identified a problem early will allow the traffic flow to remain smooth. Heavier braking, usually caused by a driver reacting late to a problem, can affect traffic flow for many miles."

This seems like a problem with no solution. Not braking could lead to accidents, which certainly don't make the highways easier to travel on. And removing cars from the road would be appreciated by many, until public transportation becomes a better option, it ain't gonna happen. So, if you get stuck on the way to or from grandmother's house this year, at least you now kind of know why.

[Source: University of Exeter via Scientific American]

Cracking the physics of traffic jams originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allenellisdewittgridlocktraffictraffic-flowtraffic-jamTue, 25 Dec 2007 20:12:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1070230/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1070230/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/25/cracking-the-physics-of-traffic-jams/1070230/article-detail.xml 1070230 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/allenellisdewitt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/allenellisdewitt.png <![CDATA[A Christmas with pricier beer? Blame ethanol]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/a-christmas-with-pricier-beer-blame-ethanol/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/a-christmas-with-pricier-beer-blame-ethanol/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/25/a-christmas-with-pricier-beer-blame-ethanol/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Is the ethanol lobby prepared to be the grinch of Christmas present? According to a recent article in The Economist, growing more profitable corn (for the ethanol market ) turned many Pacific Northwest farmers away from hops and barley and onto corn. Therefore, small beer brewers are having a hard time finding enough hops to make their beer. This in turn, is making some beers more expensive or simply not available. A Santa without beer? Tragedy.

According to the article, hop prices for at least one small brewer jumped up to five times as expensive as before. While larger beermakers have long-term contracts that have sheltered them thus far, The Economist writes that, "Without their supply of hops, some smaller producers are going out of business, bringing to a halt the fastest-growing segment of the industry. Other craft brewers and brewpubs are experimenting with new recipes, hoping their customers will adapt."

The shift away from beer crops is not the only thing that threatens small breweries at the present time, but who knew that filing the tank with ethanol could have such wide-ranging effects? Merry Christmas!

[Source: The Economist via TTAC]

A Christmas with pricier beer? Blame ethanol originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmas-beere85ethanolethanol-beersanta-beerTue, 25 Dec 2007 11:38:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1070465/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1070465/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/25/a-christmas-with-pricier-beer-blame-ethanol/1070465/article-detail.xml 1070465 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/daquella-manera_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/daquella-manera.png <![CDATA[Can't wait for a Tesla? You can still get some electric cars this holiday season]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/23/cant-wait-for-a-tesla-you-can-still-get-some-electric-cars-thi/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/23/cant-wait-for-a-tesla-you-can-still-get-some-electric-cars-thi/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/23/cant-wait-for-a-tesla-you-can-still-get-some-electric-cars-thi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We all know that electric cars are nothing new. I was driving electric cars three decades ago. I even had a whole fleet of them. Of course, they were each only a few inches long and could only run as long as the electricity supply stayed connected.

They were, of course, slot cars. Scale model cars with a tracking pin that followed a slot on a closed course, as a pair of spring loaded contacts followed the electricity-charged rails on the track.

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the original slot car system, the Scalextric. Scalextric was created in Britain by Fred Francis. The company spawned numerous imitators over the years and went through numerous financial difficulties but they are still around today. If you're in the mood for an electric car this Christmas, slot cars may be your most reasonable option.

[Source: The Telegraph]

Can't wait for a Tesla? You can still get some electric cars this holiday season originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Scalextricslot-carstoy-electric-carsSun, 23 Dec 2007 14:10:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1069572/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1069572/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/23/cant-wait-for-a-tesla-you-can-still-get-some-electric-cars-thi/1069572/article-detail.xml 1069572 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/slot-cars_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/slot-cars.jpg <![CDATA[Ho, Ho, Huh? High gas prices putting a damper on car sales but not holiday spirit]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/18/ho-ho-huh-high-gas-prices-putting-a-damper-on-car-sales-but-n/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/18/ho-ho-huh-high-gas-prices-putting-a-damper-on-car-sales-but-n/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/18/ho-ho-huh-high-gas-prices-putting-a-damper-on-car-sales-but-n/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In one of the least surprising announcements of the season (coming in not too far behind "It's cold" in most of America), the folks over at Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research are saying that high gas prices are causing many new car shoppers to spend less. The reason, "shoppers spend less on self in order to spend more on others," KBB said in a statement. Almost half (44 percent) of "in-market new-vehicle shoppers are looking at cars they normally would not have considered due to the pain at the pump." The winners are crossovers, sedans and hatchbacks. The losers are SUVs. KBB's study found that Americans are also eating out less and buying fewer "non essential retail items" thanks to the more-than-$3-a-gallon prices. KBB conducted the study during the first week of December.

[Source: Kelley Blue Book]

Ho, Ho, Huh? High gas prices putting a damper on car sales but not holiday spirit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidayholiday-salesTue, 18 Dec 2007 12:41:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1065425/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1065425/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/18/ho-ho-huh-high-gas-prices-putting-a-damper-on-car-sales-but-n/1065425/article-detail.xml 1065425 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/paul-keleher_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/paul-keleher.jpg <![CDATA[ABG Top 10: Greenest toy cars for the holidays]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/abg-top-10-greenest-toy-cars-for-the-holidays/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/abg-top-10-greenest-toy-cars-for-the-holidays/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/abg-top-10-greenest-toy-cars-for-the-holidays/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Automoblox
It's almost Christmas, so I compiled a list of the top 10 green toy cars for you. Any toy on this top 10 list would be a great gift for that green, gear-head kid (or kid at heart) on your Christmas/holiday shopping list. The list includes toy cars that are created or powered in green ways such as wooden or solar powered toy cars. I've also included several videos previewing the toys and after reading this list, I really hope you shy away from regular plastic, battery-powered RC toy cars.

Continue reading ABG Top 10: Greenest toy cars for the holidays

ABG Top 10: Greenest toy cars for the holidays originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Automobloxfair-tradefuel-cellH-RacerHydrocarPlaysamsolarTop-10Toy-carwind-upwoodwoodenSun, 16 Dec 2007 19:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1063744/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1063744/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/16/abg-top-10-greenest-toy-cars-for-the-holidays/1063744/article-detail.xml 1063744 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/green_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/green.jpg <![CDATA[Grinch-y! Biofuels increase the price of Christmas trees]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/11/grinch-y-biofuels-increase-the-price-of-christmas-trees/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/11/grinch-y-biofuels-increase-the-price-of-christmas-trees/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/11/grinch-y-biofuels-increase-the-price-of-christmas-trees/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Charlie Brown Christmas TreeChristmas tree sticker shock in Germany is due in part to biofuels demand, according to HDH, the German timber industry group. Christmas tree land that was lost in order to grow crops for biofuels is a reason given by HDH along with more single person house holds and, of course, demand from China.

Christian von Burgsdorff runs a Christmas tree company and says that, "we don't have enough goods to keep up with Chinese demand." 28 million Christmas trees were sold in Germany last year (the most ever) and the Christmas tree racket can only go up. Will Christmas trees be added to the list of things impacted by biofuels like gummy bears and beers? More importantly, will people ever stop the incredibly strange tradition of chopping down a tree only to bring it inside and put lights on it?

Happy Holidays everyone!

Related:
[Source: Spiegel]

Grinch-y! Biofuels increase the price of Christmas trees originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelsChristmasChristmas treeChristmasTreeGermanyTue, 11 Dec 2007 08:26:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1059528/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1059528/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/11/grinch-y-biofuels-increase-the-price-of-christmas-trees/1059528/article-detail.xml 1059528 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/browntree_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/browntree.jpg <![CDATA[Santa changes his reindeers for a BMW 1-Series coupe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/santa-changes-his-reindeers-for-a-bmw-1-series-coupe/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/santa-changes-his-reindeers-for-a-bmw-1-series-coupe/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/santa-changes-his-reindeers-for-a-bmw-1-series-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Christmas is coming and Christmas-based sales campaigns are here. While some might argue (and I agree) that reindeers are, by far, a greener mode of transportation than cars, BMW has decided to use a 1-Series coupé to power Santa's Saint Nikolaus's sled, which is, at least, better than an SUV.

The billboard pictured above, which has been placed near Hamburg's Residenz and Opera, uses the new set of slogans BMW is using to promote it's 1-Series coupé in Germany, which delete vowels to give the impression of intensity (literally "Verdichteten Intensität" hence the Nkls Xprss letters.

[Source: BMW]

Santa changes his reindeers for a BMW 1-Series coupe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwnkls-xprsssantaThu, 06 Dec 2007 16:10:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1056246/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1056246/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/06/santa-changes-his-reindeers-for-a-bmw-1-series-coupe/1056246/article-detail.xml 1056246 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/p0042965_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/p0042965.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Santa caught driving an SUV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/video-santa-caught-driving-an-suv/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/video-santa-caught-driving-an-suv/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/video-santa-caught-driving-an-suv/#commentsFiled under: ,



A father and his kids caught Santa Claus on video driving an SUV and they uploaded the video to YouTube. Why is Santa driving an SUV? He is giving his reindeer a rest, of course, which one child repeats in a very funny way. Some of the commentators on YouTube have noticed that the vehicle is not an SUV but a Minivan, that a child that small should not be in the front seat and that the kid in the back is not wearing his seat belt. Not mentioned in the YouTube comments is that Santa could have chosen a car that does not contribute to the melting of his homeland as much or maybe could have taken public transport. While I've got my soapbox out, perhaps eating fewer cookies might help with his weight problem too. Maybe I am over thinking this wonderful little moment?

Happy Holidays everyone!

[Source: YouTube]

Video: Santa caught driving an SUV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChristmasHolidaySanta ClausSantaClausSUVvideovideosThu, 06 Dec 2007 13:32:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1055843/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1055843/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/06/video-santa-caught-driving-an-suv/1055843/article-detail.xml 1055843 <![CDATA[Lithium-ion Mini Cooper on cover of Sam's Club Christmas catalog]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/lithium-ion-mini-cooper-on-cover-of-sams-club-christmas-catalog/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/lithium-ion-mini-cooper-on-cover-of-sams-club-christmas-catalog/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/lithium-ion-mini-cooper-on-cover-of-sams-club-christmas-catalog/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mini

Hybrid Technologies all-lithium Mini Cooper is on the cover and on sale through a Sam's Club magazine called Source Guide. The price for the 2008 Model is $65,000 and it's ready for immediate delivery. Recently, we told you about a promotion Sam's Club did with Hybrid Technologies where they sold a single electric Smart car. Seems like that promotion must have been a success if Hybrid Technologies' Mini is now on the cover of the Sam's Club's catalog. Below the fold is a video test drive of the Mini by Popular Mechanics Magazine.

Have an electric Holiday everyone!

[Source: Hybrid Technologies]

Continue reading Lithium-ion Mini Cooper on cover of Sam's Club Christmas catalog

Lithium-ion Mini Cooper on cover of Sam's Club Christmas catalog originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you want to be kind to the environment at your next social, look no further than Hammacher Schlemmer's 14 mph ridable cooler. Able to carry 24 12 oz. cans of cheap beer soda pop and 8 lbs. of ice, plus as much as 300 lbs. of you for a maximum range of 15 miles, perfect for a couple round trips from the dorms to the party house to the community picnic or block party. It is also equipped with a conveniently placed cup-holder for the enjoyment of the rider. He/she controls the 'vehicle' via handlebar-mounted throttle and brake levers. The handlebars and footrests are removable for trunk transportation, and though made of the same lightweight aircraft aluminum, it tips the scales at 74 lbs unloaded. Not the easiest thing to fit in the back of your car. Interestingly the seat (as shown above) is a $29.95 option. Since the entry and departure angles are so shallow, the only off-roading you'll likely be able to do is a short drive over your well-maintained lawn, but the disc brakes should be able to bring you to a swift halt should you suddenly realize your route was chosen under impaired judgment. At 'only' $499.95, it makes a perfect holiday gift for your underage deviant legal upstanding treehugging college student.

[Source: Hammacher Schlemmer]

The Ultimate Driving Under the Influence Machine - a 14-mph Electric Cooler! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the last few years, there have been a lot of people who have changed the cooking device for the holiday bird from the oven to a big deep fryer. As our DIY readers probably know, all of this frying oil can create a great opportunity to later make biodiesel. Since it takes around 3-5 gallons of oil to fry a turkey, the days after Thanksgiving are a great time to collect for your home Appleseed reactor. This is what my friends and I did a few years ago and it worked quite well.

If you're a cooker but not a biodiesel brewer, you can still contribute. Last year, Reuters had an article about biodiesel producers in Plano, Texas (north of Dallas) that says that in the week following Turkey Day they gathered up 500 gallons of used oil from people who had friend their birds. Not a bad idea. So, on this American day of giving thanks, if you're going to fry a bird but don't know what you're going to do with the leftover fuel, call up a local biodiesel organization and tell them that you've got something to give them. They'll probably thank you for it.

The deep-fried turkey photos in the gallery are by Nukeit1, NikiSublime and Dnigh. CC 2.

Gallery: Deep Fried Turkey biodiesel


[Source: PlanetArk and Flickr]

Thanksgiving thoughts: biodiesel from a deep-fried turkey originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselthanksgivingturkeyturkey-biodieselThu, 22 Nov 2007 08:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1045827/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/1045827/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2007/11/22/thanksgiving-thoughts-biodiesel-from-a-deep-fried-turkey/1045827/article-detail.xml 1045827 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/11/dnigh-450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2007/11/dnigh-450.jpg <![CDATA[Big jump in the cost of Thanksgiving travel, ethanol trade group claims to help]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/11/21/big-jump-in-the-cost-of-thanksgiving-travel-ethanol-trade-group/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/11/21/big-jump-in-the-cost-of-thanksgiving-travel-ethanol-trade-group/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/11/21/big-jump-in-the-cost-of-thanksgiving-travel-ethanol-trade-group/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Here in the US, this is Thanksgiving week and it's usually one of the biggest travel weekends of the year as people hit the road to visit family. With gas prices on the rise again, it's expected that travel will cost Americans an extra $520 million this weekend compared to last year. But guess who's coming to the rescue? The ethanol industry.

The Renewable Fuels Association is claiming that ten percent ethanol blends reduce pump prices by $0.15 a gallon. That claim seems rather dubious given that E85 pump prices are generally pretty close to gas prices. Until we move beyond corn ethanol, the economic benefits will be minimal at best. There may be some benefits in terms of increased oxygen content and octane levels, but it's questionable for a trade group to make such claims about saving money. Their press release is after the jump.

[Source: Renewable Fuels Association, thanks to Steve for the tip]

Continue reading Big jump in the cost of Thanksgiving travel, ethanol trade group claims to help

Big jump in the cost of Thanksgiving travel, ethanol trade group claims to help originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford
The traditional pardoned White House turkeys were delivered by a Flex Fuel Ford F-150 running on E85. The turkeys were named "May" and "Flower" and not "the names the Vice President suggested, which was 'Lunch' and 'Dinner,'" joked President Bush. The turkeys were delivered by Hotel Washington bellhops, in dog carriers, at 8:10 am to the waiting Ford F-150 as camera crews from Toyko TV and NBC News recorded the entire thing. The Ford drove two blocks to the White House.

Ziad Ojakli, Ford's group vice president for government and community relations, said "Corn is the turkeys' fuel and the truck's. ... Ford is pleased to provide the getaway vehicle in the turkey-cade." After the pardoning ceremony at noon, the turkeys in a dozen-car motorcade, escorted by 5 police motorbikes and a police car with sirens on, drove to Dulles Airport. The turkeys are going to Disneyland. Yes, Disneyland. They are going to be grand marshals of Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[Source: Detroit News]

White House Thanksgiving turkeys delivered by Flex Fuel Ford running on E85 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're driving to see relatives near Baltic, South Dakota (because, honestly, there isn't too much else to see or do there), you'll be able to fill up your tank with cheap E85 just before Thanksgiving. Midway Service Station at 525402 475th Avenue in Baltic is offering E85 at $1.85 a gallon from 3 pm until 6 pm on Wednesday. The first 25 people, moreover, will be able to fill up even cheaper, at $0.85 a gallon.

The initiative is supported by the South Dakota Corn Growers Council, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition and the American Lung Association of South Dakota.

[Thanks to B. Moffit for the tip]

Cheap E85 for Thanksgiving in South Dakota originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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