AutoblogGreen

Been dreaming of an electric Hummer? Here you go

Danny King — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:02:00 EST

Over the years, there have been attempts to green up one of the world's most iconic gas guzzlers, from the fanciful to the conceptual to the ER-EV. Now, a car customizer across the pond is epitomizing this ultimate dichotomy by building a battery-electric Hummer.

Prindiville, which so far has specialized in revamping vehicles from Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche and, of course, Range Rover with carbon-fiber body parts, aerodynamic paneling, souped-up engines and other goodies, says its plug-in Hummers will be the UK's first customized EVs.

Granted, the "Hummer" in question appears to be a substantially shrunken version of the original, Ahnold-favored super SUV. Prindiville says the Hummer EV, which will first be made in a trial batch of 25 vehicles, will have a 60-mile single-charge range. And the car can be yours for about 25,000 British pounds, just under $40,000 U.S. at today's exchange rates. Plus, it's exempt from London's congestion charge. So you have that going for you.

Continue reading Been dreaming of an electric Hummer? Here you go

Been dreaming of an electric Hummer? Here you go originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Irony alert: Congressman Allen West complains about cost to gas up his Hummer

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:51:00 EST

Filed under: Green Culture, MPG, HUMMER

It's not in any way illegal to drive a Hummer H3. If you want to drive one, go right ahead. But if you do, you will look kind of clueless if you complain about how much it costs to fill up the tank. The H3 is one of the best-known gas guzzlers on the planet, and if you're in the public eye, maybe you should be aware of the optics of your dissatisfaction with high gas prices when you're tooling around in one.

Which brings us to Congressman Allen West (R-FL), who recently posted to Facebook that:

People have asked me before is there any area where I could praise President Obama? Certainly, he has an impeccable penchant for understanding the power of the bully pulpit. President Obama is also very adept at promulgating deceptive language masquerading as policy, actually just insidious political gimmickry. This "tax policy" is an example as well as today's speech on his "energy policy" shall be. Here is the bottom line, last night it took 70 dollars to fill the tank of my 2008 H3 Hummer, what is it costing you? What does it cost the President to fill his gas tank?

As you can imagine, reader comments on his post are not entirely kind. And then there's this: "There's very little policymakers can do today or could have done in the recent past to upset the price increase. In fact, thanks to a persistently low gas tax, the U.S. remains one of the cheaper places to fill up in the world."

For his part, President Obama is ready for the political war over gas prices. In a speech yesterday, he said:

When gas prices go up, it hurts everybody -- everybody who owns a car, everybody who owns a business. It means you've got to stretch a paycheck even further. ... Now, some politicians they see this as a political opportunity. ... Only in politics do people root for bad news, do they greet bad news so enthusiastically. You pay more; they're licking their chops. You can bet that since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their 3-point plan for $2 gas. And I'll save you the suspense. Step one is to drill and step two is to drill. And then step three is to keep drilling. ... It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.

This wasn't in response to West directly, but it does show the fault lines for the election. Is it November yet?

Irony alert: Congressman Allen West complains about cost to gas up his Hummer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MEV rocks up with electric mini Hummer HX

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, HUMMER, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

2011 MEV Hummer HX - Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 2008 Hummer HX concept was supposed to be General Motors' answer to the Jeep Wrangler. To put it mildly, that failed to materialize. General Motors killed Hummer as part of its bankruptcy-induced limb severing in 2009, before the HX could be brought to fruition as the H4, as had been rumored.

For those of you who wish the HX had indeed surfaced, we have some excellent news: My Electric Vehicle, or MEV, has appropriated the HX concept, added an electric drivetrain and created the MEV Hummer HX. The MEV HX is a fully electric ~~golf cart~~ resort vehicle, licensed by GM and sporting Hummer wheels and skid plates.

We're still trying to figure out if the MEV Hummer HX has any practical purpose, which could take some time. While we're doing that, feel free to hop the jump to see a video of the $16,000 electric Hummer knockoff in action.

[Source: Dvice via MEV]

Continue reading MEV rocks up with electric mini Hummer HX

MEV rocks up with electric mini Hummer HX originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amp Electric Vehicles names former Cadillac, Hummer head as CEO

Eric Loveday — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:54:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Cadillac, HUMMER, Amp Electric Vehicles

Amp Electric Vehicles continues its quest to stand on the shoulders of industry giants with proven track records. In this latest round of hirings, Amp has once again chosen to bolster its staff with top auto execs as it eyes increased production and sales of its vehicles. As Amp president Steve Burns told us in the past:

We've been kind of non-automotive. What we've been doing is layering in a lot of automotive executives. A lot of 30-year executives have been coming in because they're available. There was a lot of brain drain.

This time around, Amp has chosen to appoint James Taylor as its new vice chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). Taylor's extensive experience in the automotive industry includes heading up the Cadillac and Hummer divisions while working with General Motors. In addition, Amp selected Joseph Paresi as chairman of the board. In the past, Paresi held positions such as director of technology at Lockheed Martin and executive vice president of L-1 Identity Solutions.

Just in case you're wondering, Amp Founder and current CEO, Steve Burns, is not leaving the company. Burns will become Amp's president and focus his attention on fulfilling current orders and signing deals with new customers.

[Source: Amp Holdings]

Continue reading Amp Electric Vehicles names former Cadillac, Hummer head as CEO

Amp Electric Vehicles names former Cadillac, Hummer head as CEO originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Zero South Biodiesel Electric Hummer shows its guts

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, HUMMER, SEMA Show

Zero South Biodiesel Electric Hummer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Zero South, a company that popped up at SEMA in 2008, is back again with its Biodiesel Electric Hummer. The heavily modified H1 rides on tracks at all four corners - a necessary modification, since this Hummer is designed for an expedition to the South Pole.

The trip is going to be documented by Chris Paine, who's best known for the film Who Killed the Electric Car? It was reported back in 2008 that the vehicle was going to be driven by Buzz Aldrin and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. The film is called Drive Around the World and was shot in 3D. Drive Around the World is also the name of an organization that works to inspire an urge to explore while raising money for various charities. The H1 shown above is Zero South's vehicle for participating in these expeditions.

The Zero South Biodiesel Electric Hummer was originally setup to run on B99 fuel, but Jay Leno joined the team and modified the powertrain so that a four-cylinder diesel Volkswagen engine would act as a generator to four electric motors. Each motor would then provide power to the individual track it's coupled to. It's one heck of a Hummer, and we invite you to check it out for yourself in the gallery below.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

SEMA 2010: Zero South Biodiesel Electric Hummer shows its guts originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nation-E reveals battery-powered Hummer H1; it's an angel in disguise

Eric Loveday — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, HUMMER, Green Daily

Nation-E has revealed its converted Hummer H1, a fully electric, mobile energy supply designed to bring power to areas crippled by extraordinary circumstances likes floods, tornadoes, blackouts and other unpredictable disasters. Appropriately called the Angel H1, Nation-E describes its converted Hummer as a go-anywhere vehicle that has the ability to access remote locations and bring electricity not only to stranded electric vehicles, but also to buildings, hospitals and any other facility that needs juice in emergency situations. Yep, it's a battery-powered savior disguised as a automotive behemoth.

Equipped with a 60 kW battery, the Angel H1 could provide power for satellite and communication devices in remote areas and even provide enough juice to keep mining operations and construction sites operational when a lack of grid power threatens to shut them down. Nation-E has not reveled pricing for its Angel H1, nor has it released full specs, but the vehicle will be on display at the eCarTec exhibition in Munich, Germany later this month.

Nation-E's first product/idea was the Angel-Car, which is also a mobile power center, this time designed specifically for stranded electric vehicles and housed in more conventional vehicles.

[Source: Nation-E]

Nation-E reveals battery-powered Hummer H1; it's an angel in disguise originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former Hummer communications manager switches teams, now pitches for Volt

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, HUMMER

Now that the grave is being filled with dirt for Hummer, everyone previously associated with the former environmental bad boy brand is lining up new gigs. After learning yesterday that AM General, manufacturer of the original military-spec Humvee and civilian H1, will be doing final assembly for the Ford Transit Connect Electric, we have just learned the fate of another member of Team Hummer.

Nick Richards was the communications manager for Hummer over the last several years. The disappearance of his old assignment has left him free to work on the opposite end of the General Motors product spectrum. Nick has now joined the Chevrolet Volt communications team to help push the ER-EV message in the final months leading up to Job 1 in November.

One question that remains unresolved is the fate of former Cadillac general manager Jim Taylor who was made CEO of Hummer last year while GM was trying to find a buyer for the brand. Perhaps Tesla or Aptera is looking for a new CEO?

[Source: General Motors]

Former Hummer communications manager switches teams, now pitches for Volt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 19 May 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Raser Tech ER-EV Hummer H3 goes to Moab to demonstrate green off-roading

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, HUMMER

Raser Hummer PHEV - Click above to watch video after the jump

Off-road driving is a controversial past-time. The drivers who do it love the challenge of getting across seemingly impassable terrain hopefully without destroying their vehicles. Environmentalists, on the other hand, point out that the practice sullys remote pristine regions with air pollution, while at the same time tearing up that previously pristine terrain.

At this year's Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, Raser Technologies brought out its prototype plug-in hybrid Hummer H3 to demonstrate that it could at least eliminate the pollution issue without sacrificing the off-road capability. The Raser Hummer uses as similar powertrain architecture to the Chevrolet Volt. The motor provides drive torque with energy from a battery with a 40-mile nominal range. The engine drives a generator to sustain the battery after it's depleted. In Moab, the Raser Hummer crawled over the rocks silently and emissions free. Of course, a clean tailpipe does nothing to address the problem of trampling the trails, but it's a start. Check out the video after the jump.

[Source: Raser]

Continue reading VIDEO: Raser Tech ER-EV Hummer H3 goes to Moab to demonstrate green off-roading

VIDEO: Raser Tech ER-EV Hummer H3 goes to Moab to demonstrate green off-roading originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Raser Technologies still interested in Hummer

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:46:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, HUMMER

Raser Hummer H3 ER-EV Prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Hummer brand seems to be going down kicking and streaming. Just days after it was reported that General Motors informed its dealers that it was closing out Hummer this month, a new name has popped up as a potential bidder: Raser Technologies. Raser has been covered here previously for its development of an extended range electric drivetrain that was installed into a Hummer H3. The system is similar, in principle, to the Voltec system used in the Volt

According to a report on The Car Connection, Raser actually put in a bid for Hummer in mid-2009 before GM struck a deal with Sichuan Tengzhong that ultimately fell apart. Since the Chinese deal collapsed, Raser has again expressed its interest and has apparently been rebuffed.

Raser reportedly wants to transform Hummer into a green brand with its powertrain technology. However, it seems unlikely that GM will make a deal since that would likely mean it would have to continue building the vehicles for Raser for some time. The Shreveport, LA factory that builds the H3 and the Chevrolet Colorado is likely to close in the coming years, and GM most likely just wants to end the whole affair.

Gallery: Raser Technologies electric Hummer H3

[Source: The Car Connection]

Report: Raser Technologies still interested in Hummer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hummers are for Horses: Artist reimagines the monsterous SUV [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Transportation Alternatives, HUMMER, Green Daily

Horse-drawn Hummer H2 - Click above to watch the video after the break

When the internal combustion engine finally helped the automobile officially pass the horse-drawn carriage as the chosen method of transportation for a majority of citizens in the United States, was that a step in the right direction? Moving forward about a hundred years... when the behemoth Sport Utility Vehicle that never actually seems to venture off the beaten path passed the minivan in the hearts and minds of families all across this country as the people mover of choice, was that a step in the right direction?

If you answered no to either of the above questions, perhaps you'll enjoy the video pasted after the break. Created by artist Jeremy Dean (read about our initial post on the project here), the converted Hummer H2 is called Futurama and is pulled by two white horses named, appropriately enough, Duke and Diesel. Hummers are for horses? See for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Hummers are for Horses: Artist reimagines the monsterous SUV [w/video]

Hummers are for Horses: Artist reimagines the monsterous SUV [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIP: Hummer, 1992-2010

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: GM, HUMMER

For years, Hummers - each one somehow bigger and more polluting than the next - were the easiest target in the automotive world for environmentalists . Need examples? How about this and this and this and, oh, you get the picture.

General Motors has been trying to sell the brand to Tengzhong, a Chinese company, but announced yesterday that this will not happen. GM said that it is still listening to offers for the brand, but it's looking likely that Hummer is not long for this world. To mark the news, we wanted to have a moment of silence for this tribute to the excesses of the 1990s and Naughts and the military mindset of the drivers bold enough to get behind the wheel, even the ones who think driving a Hummer is "a highly moral consumption choice."

There, that's long enough.

Don't worry, Hummer haters. These vehicles will be on the road for years to come and, when they're all gone, attention can turn to other gas guzzling monsters, like this year's thirsty champion the Ford F-250 Lariat.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading RIP: Hummer, 1992-2010

RIP: Hummer, 1992-2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Artist transforming Hummer into horse cart, i.e. why we love modern art [w/video]

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, HUMMER

What is art? - Click above for high-res image gallery

In 1948, American-born artist Man Ray wrote, "There is no progress in art, any more than there is progress in making love. There are simply different ways of doing it." This is nearly 30 years after he glued some spikes to the bottom of an iron and called it art. And you know what? We couldn't agree more. Meet Jeremy Dean. He's a New York-based artist that began reading about "Hoover carts" during the recent economic bad times. Turns out that Hoover carts were broken down old cars that horses used to lug around during the Great Depression.

With that in mind, Mr. Dean decided to turn a "perfectly good" Hummer H2 that he purchased for $15,000 into a horse drawn cart. We'll let the artist explain the why:

At this time of record financial gains, the auto industry began producing ever extravagant cars and these huge American gas guzzlers became a status symbol in society leading to increased demand for oil and fuel prices soared. So with our very American idea of Manifest Destiny, we meddle in any country that has oil and send our men and women into harms way so that we can continue consuming almost 80% of the worlds resources. But how long can that last?

My own satirical prediction of the future: Unless we come up with alternative fuel sources and rethink our reliance on a hyperinflated consumer based economy, we may be left with no other options than to hook our cars up to a horse. As a symbol of this I [will] take either a Cadillac Escalade or HUMMER H2, which have become monuments to America's consumption, greed and arrogance, and convert it to a horse cart. The cart will maintain all its former glitz and glamour: chrome rims, GPS, working sound system, DVD player, and TV screens. But [it] will be pulled by a horse.

Hey man, horses need jobs, too. As for Jeremy Dean, he has apparently sunk his entire life savings into this project and is hoping to sell it to recoup his costs. We can only wish him good luck and ask one question: Isn't purchasing art for what we can only assume costs an entire briefcase full of Franklins just as much of a "status symbol" as big, ungainly luxury SUVs? Video of the art making process after the jump.

[Source: Back to the Futurama via The Car Connection]

Continue reading Artist transforming Hummer into horse cart, i.e. why we love modern art [w/video]

Artist transforming Hummer into horse cart, i.e. why we love modern art [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Hummer HB compact off-roader

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:06:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol, HUMMER

Hummer HB Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

With Hummer's future seemingly in the hands of China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. Ltd, questions naturally turn to the automaker's barren product cupboard. How will Tengzhong replace Hummer's current crop of SUVs? With the news that the Chinese automaker would like to focus on more environmentally friendly models, a Romanian designer by the name of Andrus Ciprian envisions something along the lines of the compact HB concept you see above.

A Hummer wouldn't be a Hummer without significant off-road capability, and Ciprian suggests that the HB would retain a body-on-frame design in lieu of a lighter unibody, though hewn from aluminum and carbon fiber instead of steel. Under the comely concept's hood sits a biofuel-capable V6 engine. But those aren't the most interesting bits of the concept, the stance and general proportions of which would look perfect on the front of a Traxxas RTR box.

Ciprian included two separate windshield designs, one of which sees the screen sectioned into thirds with a slew of cameras relaying additional information to the pilot. We'd go with the more production-likely single-piece glass. In any case, see the stunning high-res renderings in our gallery below and let us know what you think.

[Source: Diseno Art via Carscoop]

Rendered Speculation: Hummer HB compact off-roader originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From Hummer to the Volt, one engineer's tale

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM, HUMMER, Green Daily

What did it feel like inside GM's truck group when gas prices shot up over $4 a gallon last year? Automotive engineer Keith Seymore summed it up in this short quote: "In a six-month period, everything went upside down."

While in the truck group, Seymore had been tasked with working on the Hummer H2 but, when GM announce that Hummer would be sold in March 2009, his 29-year career looked in doubt. Heck, GM's entire existence at that time looked pretty shaky. The Chevy Volt stepped in to save both the company and the man's job.

When Seymore was asked to join the Volt team, he was hesitant, but was told that the plug-in hybrid was "going to save the corporation." Seymore's job was saved, too, but only with a pay cut and a drop in benefits. Still, he's happy to be working on GM's "moon shot" car and says, "It's a blast working on such a visible project."

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

From Hummer to the Volt, one engineer's tale originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not Done Yet: Hummer H3, H3T get biofuel capability, new colors for 2010

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, HUMMER

2010 Hummer H3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Can a Hummer be green? The brand that most obviously represents American excess in the minds of environmentalists - though Hummer's vehicles aren't actually any worse than any other large SUV - has seemingly been fighting off its negative stigma since shortly after the introduction of the larger-than-life H2. Part of the brand's hopeful transformation includes giving each model a flex-fuel variant, and the latest application of that principle is seen on the 2010 H3 and H3T.

Interestingly, the engine that gets the E85 capability is the largest and most powerful option: the 5.3-liter V8 as fitted to the top-level Alpha series and not the slightly more fuel efficient inline-five. In any case, anyone who ticks the V8 box on the options list will be blessed with 300 horsepower, 320 lb-ft of torque and the ability to pump ethanol into the tank if he or she should so desire.

Not green enough for you? Baby steps, people... Hummer CEO James Taylor (no, not that James Taylor) promises bigger eco steps in the near future, saying, "This is just the first step in Hummer's evolution to offer responsible, yet highly capable all-terrain vehicles. Future models will be lighter, more efficient and will continue to offer the best blend of off-road capability and on-road performance."

In related news, the 2010 Hummer H3 and H3T will be offered with three new premium exterior colors for 2010: Red Rock Metallic, Silver Stone Metallic, and Canyon Metallic. Huh, no green? Each of the three new hues can be seen in our photo gallery below. Enjoy!

[Source: Hummer]

Continue reading Not Done Yet: Hummer H3, H3T get biofuel capability, new colors for 2010

Not Done Yet: Hummer H3, H3T get biofuel capability, new colors for 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eating his words: Michael Pollan retracts Hummer-vegan/Prius-meat-eater comment

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, HUMMER, Toyota, Green Daily

Want to give your public pronouncement a little zing? Try throwing in the words Hummer and Prius and imply that the SUV is better for the earth than the Prius. CNW sure knows the value of making the false claim. Last week, author Michael Pollan tried a similar trick when he said at the 2009 Poptech conference that, "A vegan in a Hummer has a lighter carbon footprint than a beef eater in a Prius." Guess who's had to issue a mea culpa?

Pollan, who wrote The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore's Dilemma and other books, was blasted by people armed with facts. Specifically, Gidon Eshel and Pamela Martin from the University of Chicago found that shifting from eating meat to veganism saved about 2 tons of CO₂ equivalent per person per year. A Hummer driver, on the other hand, emits 4.76 tons more per year than a Prius. Pollan later said that:

After digging into it further, and consulting Gidon Eschel, I don't feel comfortable defending [my earlier statement]. It's much more important to keep the focus on the central thrust of the environmental case against eating industrial meat, which is not in dispute and certainly does not stand or fall on the case of the vegan Hummer driver.

We're not against people making attention-getting statements for effect, but what's with constantly attacking the Prius? Can't a car just get 50 MPG in peace?

[Source: HybridCars]

Eating his words: Michael Pollan retracts Hummer-vegan/Prius-meat-eater comment originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AM General to build CNG-powered VPG MV-1 people-mover at Hummer H2 factory

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Transportation Alternatives, GM, HUMMER, Natural Gas

Vehicle Production Group MV-1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Remember the Standard Taxi from the Vehicle Production Group? It's now called the MV-1, and production is slated to begin next year at the AM General plant in Mishawaka, Indiana. That's the same assembly location where the Hummer H2 is built, which makes sense since the MV-1 is based on the same GM underpinnings as the behemoth SUV.

According to its makers, the MV-1 is the first purpose-built wheelchair-accessible vehicle in America, and it's able to accommodate up to six adults or two full-size wheelchairs. An ADA-approved ramp that stows under the vehicle's floor and a 36-inch wide side opening are designed to make entry and exit a simple affair.

With its body-on-frame construction made with fully boxed rails, the MV-1 should prove to be a durable people mover and its well-known GM drivetrain components should be easily serviceable. Further, VPG has teamed up with Clean Energy to develop a dedicated compressed natural gas powertrain option that will provide a 250-mile range with significantly reduced emissions.

Styling wise, the MV-1 may not be the prettiest machine on the road, but for those needing to transport wheelchair-bound passengers, this design may just be a thing of beauty. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

[Source: VPG Autos, Detroit Free Press]

AM General to build CNG-powered VPG MV-1 people-mover at Hummer H2 factory originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM sells HUMMER to Tengzhong for $150M, what happens to the vitriol?

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: GM, HUMMER

Hummer HX Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Tengzhong's plan to make a green Hummer can now officially move forward. GM and the China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery company announced today that a deal to sell off the brand is complete. For $150 million, Tengzhong will take an 80 percent stake, a private investor will get the rest, and GM is rid of one of the most controversial automobile brands ever. Sort of, the deal is set up so that Tengzhong will contract vehicle manufacturing from GM through at least June 2011. U.S. and Chinese regulators still need to approve the deal.

What controversy? Well, there was the whole Prius vs. Hummer thing, which has thankfully died down. And then all those torched Hummers at dealerships - recreated, in a sense, with the Bummer Hummer. Whatever the history, Hummer is now a Chinese brand; it'll be interesting to see how and if the vitriol that has long been aimed at GM translates to the new owners. Tengzhong has previously stated it is investigating biofuels, hybrids and fully electric machines.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: HUMMER HX Concept

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM sells HUMMER to Tengzhong for $150M, what happens to the vitriol?

GM sells HUMMER to Tengzhong for $150M, what happens to the vitriol? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STUDY: Hummer owners believe they've made "a highly moral consumption choice"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Green Culture, HUMMER, Green Daily, USA

There probably isn't any one passenger vehicle on earth that earns more ire from environmentalists than the Hummer H2. While the reality of the matter is that most Hummers aren't really much worse when it comes to fuel mileage and overall emissions than any other giant SUV (most civilian Hummers are, in fact, based largely on truck platforms from General Motors) the brand has seemingly been made into the poster child of American excess.

Interestingly, however, according to a small study of 20 Hummer owners published in the Journal of Consumer Research, that stigma may actually be a selling point for those who purchase Hummers. According to the authors of the study:

As we studied American Hummer owners and their ideological beliefs, we found that they consider Hummer driving a highly moral consumption choice. For Hummer owners it is possible to claim the moral high ground... The moralistic critique of their consumption choices readily inspired Hummer owners to adopt the role of the moral protagonist who defends American national ideals.

Interesting, no? It's hard to argue that this report offers a conclusive look into the minds of Hummer owners and Hummer haters alike - especially when the sample size is so small - and we doubt it's going to put an end to the debate over the seemingly conflicting rights of Americans to purchase the vehicle of their choice, consume or conserve whatever resources they deem necessary and breathe clean air. That said, it's an interesting bit of research, no?

[Source: Journal of Consumer Research - sub. req'd; via Wired]

STUDY: Hummer owners believe they've made "a highly moral consumption choice" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: HUMMER buyer plans new green model

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:19:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, HUMMER, China

Hummer HX Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite what could be construed as opposition by the Chinese government towards Tengzhong's bid to purchase the HUMMER division from General Motors, the company is still working towards finalizing the sale by October of this year and on future environmentally-friendly models. According to Yang Yi, the firm's general manager:

We want to make a green HUMMER. We think the Hummer has huge potential in emerging markets. Tengzhong and HUMMER are very aware of the government's fuel-efficiency requirements. HUMMER has already achieved substantial progress in this area.

Last year, GM's SUV-centric brand showed off a concept for a downsized HUMMER called the HX, which would likely be known as the H4 if it were ever to enter into production. Jim Taylor, currently head of HUMMER's operations and likely to stay on after the brand's sale to Tengzhong, has previously stated that the brand is investigating biofuels, hybrids and fully electric machines.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: HUMMER HX Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Confirmed: HUMMER buyer plans new green model originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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